Move from council to housing association home in same local authority: Will it affect my benefits? — Scope | Disability forum
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Move from council to housing association home in same local authority: Will it affect my benefits?

flatmovebenefits
flatmovebenefits Community member Posts: 3 Listener
I am thinking about moving from a council flat to a housing association flat (home swap/exchange) within the same local authority. But am concerned about losing some benefits.

I receive Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
And Housing Benefit for my current property.

As well as the legacy disability premiums:

  • Disability Premium
  • Enhanced Disability Premium
  • Severe Disability Premium
Will I lose these disability premiums if I go ahead and move to the new property? And will I be taken off of ESA and placed onto Universal Credit? And if so will I retain the legacy disability premiums or lose them or will these be replaced by other benefits with different names, so that I would not lose out on the amounts I currently receive?

I understand that moving to a new address is considered a change of circumstances that must be reported.

Does anyone know for certain whether moving to a new similar home within the same local authority council would affect any of the above benefits when I would need to claim housing benefit for the new property? 

Ideally I would want my income benefits to remain the same, if I moved and made a claim for housing benefit for the new property. But if the names of the disability premiums changed on Universal Credit or were in some way included insofar as I would lose out financially or by not too much I would be content with this.

Is there any information that you can provide with evidence to point me in the right direction as to answering my concerns?      

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 49,593 Disability Gamechanger
    As you’re already claiming housing benefit then moving to the same local Authority will not prompt a move to UC. See link and scroll down to “moving home and taking up a new tenancy” https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/changes-that-trigger-universal-credit

    Just so that you’re aware your ESA will not include the disability premium £39.85/week because it’s not paid when claiming ESA. https://www.gov.uk/disability-premiums/what-youll-get

    For others reading this there are no disability premiums payable when claiming UC. 
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.

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