Relocation on Legacy Benefits/ Universal Credit query 1 November 2022 at 6:15PM in Benefits & tax credits 17 replies 538 views

Spicedpumpkin

Quote ; poppy12345 Yes, it will be the same for UC as it is for housing benefit. You can check the amounts for the area here. https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

The most difficult part will be finding a landlord that will accept a DSS tenant.

@poppy12345 Regarding the landlord accepting DSS tenants.   Do you think that if we paid in advance that would help to find somewhere? Then claimed the UC housing element etc ? Just so the landlord knew he had the money for that a certain period.
To be honest I am just throwing ideas and gathering information at this stage, as the area we live in is certainly having a detrimental effect mentally on us both for a lot of reasons. Also with his cancer, we know we have to start thinking ahead as we do not know how long he may have left sadly.
Thanks

poppy12345

Spicedpumpkin said:

@poppy12345 Regarding the landlord accepting DSS tenants.   Do you think that if we paid in advance that would help to find somewhere? Then claimed the UC housing element etc ? Just so the landlord knew he had the money for that a certain period.

There's no harm in asking, the worst that can happen is they refuse. A lot landlords will refuse even with the upfront rent. If you are lucky enough to find someone then they could ask for a guarantor.

Spicedpumpkin

poppy12345 said:

Spicedpumpkin said:

@poppy12345 Regarding the landlord accepting DSS tenants.   Do you think that if we paid in advance that would help to find somewhere? Then claimed the UC housing element etc ? Just so the landlord knew he had the money for that a certain period.

There's no harm in asking, the worst that can happen is they refuse. A lot landlords will refuse even with the upfront rent. If you are lucky enough to find someone then they could ask for a guarantor.

Thanks again for the info. I'm surprised really, especially if it were something like 6 months up front. We have not been in the rental market at all recently. As my partner has lived in the same rental house all his life. Myself last rented over 12 plus years back! 

calcotti

Spicedpumpkin said:

Thanks a lot. I am the one actually on CB ESA and DLA and I am the younger person, my partner is on the CA and IS , HB , he is the one near pension age, like you said at 66. So I am not sure what will happen when he reaches in pension age, I am sure he can not get Carers Allowance for me then, as he would be over pension age.

You are correct that the Carers Allowance will stop because he will be getting State Pension (this is due to what are known as ‘overlapping benefit’ rules). However, if he is still caring for you he should declare this when claiming UC and he would then be entitled to have the carer element included in the UC calculation.

So you would still receive CB ESA and DLA. He would receive SP. Your joint UC calculation will include the standard couple allowance, the LCWRA element for you, the carer element for him and the housing element. From the maximum UC amount there will be a deduction for the ESA and the SP leaving the amount payable.

However it makes sense for him to declare his health condition to UC. If he is receiving or recovering from any chemotherapy or radiotherapy  he will automatically be entitled to be treated as having LCWRA which would become payable from the fourth month. You can’t both get paid LCWRA but it means you could swap the LCWRA and carer elements between you if he is no longer to care for you but you are caring for him.

Another thing you may wish to consider, if your partner is experiencing difficulties, whether or not he could qualify for PIP. He can apply for this until he reaches pension age. After pension age he would if he has not applied for PIP have to apply for Attendance Allowance instead if the need arises.

Spoonie_Turtle

calcotti said:

Another thing you may wish to consider, if your partner is experiencing difficulties, whether or not he could qualify for PIP. He can apply for this until he reaches pension age. After pension age he would if he has not applied for PIP have to apply for Attendance Allowance instead if the need arises.

That's an excellent point, especially if his mobility is affected.  @Spicedpumpkin, AA doesn't have a mobility component whereas PIP does.  He would be able to claim PIP as long a he starts the claim (phones up to get it started) before he turns 66.

Spicedpumpkin

calcotti said:

Spicedpumpkin said:

Thanks a lot. I am the one actually on CB ESA and DLA and I am the younger person, my partner is on the CA and IS , HB , he is the one near pension age, like you said at 66. So I am not sure what will happen when he reaches in pension age, I am sure he can not get Carers Allowance for me then, as he would be over pension age.

You are correct that the Carers Allowance will stop because he will be getting State Pension (this is due to what are known as ‘overlapping benefit’ rules). However, if he is still caring for you he should declare this when claiming UC and he would then be entitled to have the carer element included in the UC calculation.

So you would still receive CB ESA and DLA. He would receive SP. Your joint UC calculation will include the standard couple allowance, the LCWRA element for you, the carer element for him and the housing element. From the maximum UC amount there will be a deduction for the ESA and the SP leaving the amount payable.

However it makes sense for him to declare his health condition to UC. If he is receiving or recovering from any chemotherapy or radiotherapy  he will automatically be entitled to be treated as having LCWRA which would become payable from the fourth month. You can’t both get paid LCWRA but it means you could swap the LCWRA and carer elements between you if he is no longer to care for you but you are caring for him.

Another thing you may wish to consider, if your partner is experiencing difficulties, whether or not he could qualify for PIP. He can apply for this until he reaches pension age. After pension age he would if he has not applied for PIP have to apply for Attendance Allowance instead if the need arises.

Thanks ever so much for the detailed information. I always wondered what would happen when we got to that stage in the future. I will copy and paste this, so I can show it to him when he is up to it or in the future. 
Once again Thanks everso much for the detailed response, much appreciated !

Spicedpumpkin

Spoonie_Turtle said:

calcotti said:

Another thing you may wish to consider, if your partner is experiencing difficulties, whether or not he could qualify for PIP. He can apply for this until he reaches pension age. After pension age he would if he has not applied for PIP have to apply for Attendance Allowance instead if the need arises.

That's an excellent point, especially if his mobility is affected.  @Spicedpumpkin, AA doesn't have a mobility component whereas PIP does.  He would be able to claim PIP as long a he starts the claim (phones up to get it started) before he turns 66.

Thanks for the information. Sometimes becoming older suddenly is upon us in a blink of an eye !
Very kind of you all !