Moving house. Will this trigger change to universal credit?

jak

Hi,
I wonder if anyone can advise? I’m going to be moving house, same county council area. I’m on ESA and get pip. I’ve been told I will have to move onto universal credit. Is this right? 

Many thanks,
J x

Spoonie_Turtle

jak said:

Hi,
I wonder if anyone can advise? I’m going to be moving house, same county council area. I’m on ESA and get pip. I’ve been told I will have to move onto universal credit. Is this right? 

Many thanks,
J x

If you do not claim Housing Benefit then it is irrelevant, no need to close any existing claims or make a claim for UC.  PIP will be unaffected anyway.

poppy12345

jak said:

Hi,
I wonder if anyone can advise? I’m going to be moving house, same county council area. I’m on ESA and get pip. I’ve been told I will have to move onto universal credit. Is this right? 

Many thanks,
J x

If you're already claiming help with the rent then staying with the same local authority is not classed as a change of circumstances that prompts a move to UC. If you don't already claim help with the rent and you need to claim now then yes you will need to claim UC, which will then end entitlement to Income Based ESA.

Nannytone

Op, you say it is the same county council area but is it the same local authority area?
Its not always the same thing

jak

Yes the same local authority area. I currently get housing benefit. That’s good to know. I’ll make a note of it. Thanks for all your help x