ESA but need housing benefit

Champy

Hi all. 
Can someone please help and point me in the right direction. I've recently been offered somewhere to live, by the Alms charity local to me. I need to have housing benefit before they will let me sign the contract, but I've called my local council and they say I need to apply for housing benefit via universal credit. I currently receive ESA as I'm long time on sick, I've no idea what I need to do....Do I apply for universal credit? What if my ESA gets stopped? I'm so confused. Sorry, I don't know who to ask. 

pebbles88

Hi, as it’s a change of circs you’ll need to move from esa to universal credit & your housing will be part of that 

Rubyroobs

Is your ESA contributions based or income related ? If part of it is contributions based then that will continue to be paid but will be deducted from a monthly UC award. if it is income related you will get a two week run on of ESA and then it will stop.

Alice_Holt

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/helptoclaim/

https://www.gov.uk/housing-and-universal-credit

Before applying for UC, double check with the Alms charity and your LA that the offered accommodation isn't classed as supported or sheltered housing (see second link for more details).

In general terms, any contribution- based ESA will continue, but will be deducted from your UC payments once UC is in payment.

What group of ESA are you in?

Champy

Thankyou for explaining. I've no idea what kind of ESA I get, I've been on it since....2008 I think, but I've no idea, so sorry. So I just go ahead and claim universal and they do it from there? Thanks so much.

poppy12345

Champy said:

So I just go ahead and claim universal and they do it from there?

No, not yet please see Alice's comment here.

Alice_Holt said:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/helptoclaim/

https://www.gov.uk/housing-and-universal-credit

Before applying for UC, double check with the Alms charity and your LA that the offered accommodation isn't classed as supported or sheltered housing (see second link for more details).