Tenant at my benefits c/o address needs to claim HB themselves – now what?

LuxFero

Since I was homeless my ESA/PIP claim has been registered at a friend’s address, it’s a c/o address but the DWP post doesn’t say c/o. The friend who rents it now (sole tenant) now needs to claim housing benefit via Universal Credit due to a downturn in their finances. 

Would my legacy claim being at that address jeopardise theirs for HB (which I never claimed) or vice versa?  Or could they just claim and say at the form that I don’t live there and it’s just a c/o address? 

I could potentially move my DWP address to a different part of the country (London to Bristol) but am concerned this will be ‘natural’ rather than ‘managed’ migration i.e trigger me being forced onto Universal Credit. Thanks for any advice on this. 

poppy123456

For the avoidance of doubt, they can't claim HB unless they either live in supported or temporary housing. Claiming help with the rent with UC is known as housing element. They are 2 completely different benefits.

All i can advise is that if there are any issues they just need to tell them that it's just a c/o address that you're using.

Changing your address in your case is not a change of circumstances that will prompt a move to UC. You will only need to claim UC if you need to claim for help with any rent, unless you live in either supported or temporary housing and then it will be HB that you need to claim.

LuxFero

Thank you very much Poppy! Very helpful