Claiming benefits when away from home

LocoLoco

Hi everyone,

We've got a bit of a situation that I'm trying to sort out - I'm reading up online but my head's a bit of a mess so I'd really appreciate it if anyone could check I'm understanding things properly and point out anything else I may need to look in to.

We've recently moved in to a housing association property and our new neighbour is horrific.  I won't go in to details but we've already had to go away for a few nights just to have a break from the constant noise, mess, shouting and general unpleasantness.  My son and I both have disabilities/health problems that are affected by stress so we've both become very unwell very quickly in this situation so I'm trying to get us out of it again as fast as I can.

The housing association are not being terribly helpful; private renting is an option but as you know, it's expensive and benefit claimants aren't usually the first choice for most landlords so I don't know how long it would take to find somewhere new.

There is the possibility of a long house sit (three months) for a friend of a friend, who has a contract in a different part of the country for that time.  He doesn't want to let the property but also would rather not leave it empty.  I don't want to give up my tenancy without somewhere else to go, but also don't want to be here, so this could be a good option for both of us, and could give us time to either get a move via the housing association or find somewhere privately.

It's just the benefits - Shelter advice is that up to six months away is okay for the housing element of Universal Credit to still be paid - is that correct?

Council tax support - I read that up to four weeks is okay and then it varies from one area to another.  We currently receive the SMI, Carer's Allowance and then a reduction due to being on a low income - presumably contact them for full details of how it may affect us and get costs of any changes?

Carer's Allowance and PIP - I'm assuming it stays the same regardless?  And Universal Credit itself - my son gets the LCWRA thing and I get the personal allowance with Carers Element - presumably that stays the same?

I've not checked with the HA about being away so will do that later.  The other property (the possible house sit) is a couple of hours away so close enough to come back and forth rather than locking up completely for three months.  And then presumably if we can organise a move during that time we'd just do a change of circumstances as you would anyway?

I would like to emphasise I'm not trying to fiddle anything - just want to make sure I don't inadvertently do something that I shouldn't.  Is there anything else I need to think about/look in to from a benefit point of view?

Sorry for all the questions, my head's a bit of a mess so I'm struggling to figure out the best way forward at the moment.  Many thanks for any responses.

calcotti

Carer’s Allowance, PIP, UC standard allowance, UC carer element and a LCWRA element are all OK. Your entitlement is unchanged by where you live.

You are correct that the UC housing element remains payable during a temporary absence - which is one that is not expected to exceed six months.

The situation for CTR will depend on the rules set by your local authority.

LocoLoco

Thank you so much for clarifying, Calcotti, that's really helpful.  Thank you.

pmlindyloo

The only thing I would add is that you need to check your tenancy agreement for your current social housing re any clauses about temporary absence from home.

There may be a clause that the home must not be left unoccupied for a certain length of time.  Since the 'house sit' is some distance away you may need to visit on a regular basis to ensure that the house's heating is functioning properly, for example.

I have read your thread on the housing forum and I have deep sympathy for your situation. If you have a sympathetic housing officer it may be worth speaking to them and explaining the situation as regards house sitting for a friend.

My thoughts as regards your current situation.......................Have you enlisted the aid of your doctor for some evidence about how much this is affecting your (and your son's) health?

I do hope you manage to find private housing as I fear this will be the only way forward.  My experience of dealing with situations like this is that the council (housing authority) move very slowly (if at all).  The bottom line is that the neighbour involved is generally deemed as 'vulnerable' and, as such, they have to move very carefully. Also, by moving the neighbour somewhere else the problem doesn't go away - just that different people become their neighbours.

Horrible situation.  Good luck.

TELLIT01

Are you to receive any payment for the house sit?

LocoLoco

pmlindyloo said:

The only thing I would add is that you need to check your tenancy agreement for your current social housing re any clauses about temporary absence from home.

There may be a clause that the home must not be left unoccupied for a certain length of time.  Since the 'house sit' is some distance away you may need to visit on a regular basis to ensure that the house's heating is functioning properly, for example.

I have read your thread on the housing forum and I have deep sympathy for your situation. If you have a sympathetic housing officer it may be worth speaking to them and explaining the situation as regards house sitting for a friend.

My thoughts as regards your current situation.......................Have you enlisted the aid of your doctor for some evidence about how much this is affecting your (and your son's) health?

I do hope you manage to find private housing as I fear this will be the only way forward.  My experience of dealing with situations like this is that the council (housing authority) move very slowly (if at all).  The bottom line is that the neighbour involved is generally deemed as 'vulnerable' and, as such, they have to move very carefully. Also, by moving the neighbour somewhere else the problem doesn't go away - just that different people become their neighbours.

Horrible situation.  Good luck.

Thanks, pmlindyloo, I will check the tenancy before anything is decided but we will be close enough for popping back to be an option so it might still work.  I have contacted GP and social worker to ask for letters/support etc and am just waiting back from them.  I would still prefer to be moved to another housing association property instead of a private rental but the general consensus seems to be 'don't hold your breath' so I'm trying to keep various options open.  When the house sit possibility came up I thought it might mean we still 'live' here, but are actually staying somewhere else so it would just make the situation more bearable whilst allowing time for a more permanent solution.  It is so difficult and I'm amazed to find out how common it is.  We'd waited so long for a place, I'm just gutted it's got so bad so quickly.  Thanks for the info and good wishes, it's appreciated.

LocoLoco

TELLIT01 said:

Are you to receive any payment for the house sit?

Hi, no, it would really be more a case of us just staying there, it's really more a friend of a friend hearing about our situation and just saying that his place would be empty - he hadn't planned on getting someone to stay there but when he heard what was going on for us he suggested it as a possibility (I think most people feel happier if someone is around if they're away for a long time).  So no plans for money to change hands.