Help with Benefits

olgadapolga

Hi, 

I know very little about the benefits available these days so thought that I'd ask here:

Situation: 21 year old, was F/T student until August 2021, very poor mental health so deferred university course until better. Has problems with just about everything, poor self-care, some learning disabilities that affect every day functioning. Currently in a London hospital but not getting the required treatment, so may self-discharge. Also has private rented student accomodation to pay for in London. Not in receipt of student loan or help from the university, so no income. Has about £500 in bank, rent paid until February 2022.

Has applied for PIP. As I understand it, PIP applications are taking a long time?

Can UC be applied for once out of hospital or is there something else? Won't be able to work due to current inability to function in daily life. Just worried about paying the rent/associated bills and food. 

Thanks in advance

calcotti

Doesn't need to be out of hospital to apply for UC.
What is his current student status?

olgadapolga

calcotti said:

Doesn't need to be out of hospital to apply for UC.
What is his current student status?

Not a student at all as on "interruption of study" so not counted as student and unable access funding via student loans/bursaries/grants.

calcotti

Then he can claim UC and can do this while still in hospital (if he had the means to do so).  He should declare his health situation and will need a Fit Note to support that.

olgadapolga

Fabulous, thank you. The PIP claim doesn't affect anything, does it?

poppy12345

olgadapolga said:

Fabulous, thank you. The PIP claim doesn't affect anything, does it?

No but he won't be eligible for any PIP if he's been in hospital for longer than 28 days.

calcotti

poppy12345 said:

olgadapolga said:

Fabulous, thank you. The PIP claim doesn't affect anything, does it?

No but he won't be eligible for any PIP if he's been in hospital for longer than 28 days.

If the claim was started while he was in hospital he isn’t eligible until discharged. It will of course be many months before a decision is made anyway.

olgadapolga

Claim was started before admission to hospital, I believe.

So the best bet is to apply for UC at the moment? And presumably when (if) the university course recommences, the UC claim will end?

Thank you for the help, it's massively appreciated.

calcotti

olgadapolga said:

Claim was started before admission to hospital, I believe.

In which case if an award is made he would be entitled to payment for the period prior to going into hospital and up to 28 days in hospital followed by the period from hospital discharge.

olgadapolga said: And presumably when (if) the university course recommences, the UC claim will end?

If he has been found to have Limited Capability for Work and has been awarded PIP he will be able to continue on UC but it will be reduced by the amount of any student loan available to him (regardless of whether or not he is actually claiming it).

olgadapolga

A couple more questions, sorry!

The individual has self-discharged and is now at parents' home for the foreseeable future due to self-care problems, although still paying rent on student accomodation (in contract until next August).

Presumably UC can be applied for but can the housing element be claimed, given the above (ie, not living at the rented house)? And can one of the parents help with the application as the individual will struggle with this especially if phone calls are required? Can any documents from UC go to the parents' address rather than the student address?