My PIP case has been closed. Will UC be enough to pay the rent and cover the living costs?

andwhatisnow

Hi everyone. I was awarded PIP at a standard rate but I've been abroad for more than a year due to medical reasons (I have two nationalities) so the money was stopped. I will come back in the UK in about 2 month and I thought that my money would start again as soon as re enter the country but I found out (on the phone) that my case has been closed since I left. Is there a way to re open it? I thought that it would have been open until the date (given on the letter) that my PIP would expire. Apparently I will have to start a new claim, but I've been told that in order to qualify I need to have been in the country for 12 months. I only can apply to Universal Credit (do I need to have been in the country for 12 months for that too?), but will it be enough to survive? Apart from covering the rent, will it also give me money for the living costs? Thank you

PS

I went to TURN2US to find out about my allowance and in the initial questions they asked me about the status of my housemates, if they have settled status, pre-settled status etc. I don't know that and it would be embarrassing to ask them. Why is it important to know those details?

poppy123456

You need to be living in the country for 2 out of the past 3 years to be able to claim PIP. However, If you’ve recently returned from living in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you might be able to get PIP sooner. Therefore, it will depend on which country you've been living in. https://www.gov.uk/pip/eligibility

For a claim for UC then you'll need to pass the habitual residence test. You can see lots of information here. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/getting-benefits-if-youve-recently-moved-to-the-UK/

If its possible to claim UC then if you're a single person you'll be entitled to the standard allowance (single person) If you're 25 and over it will be £368.74/month. If under 25 then it's £292.11/month. If you need to claim for help with the rent and you're privately renting you'll need to show your liability to pay rent, such as tenancy agreement or lodgers agreement. If you're under 35 then you'll be entitled to the shared rate of local housing allowance. If 35 and over it will be 1 bedroom rate of LHA. You can check the rates here. https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

If your health condition limits your capability to work then you'll need to report your health condition when you claim and provide a fit note from your GP within 7 days of that. You'll need to continue to send fit notes without any gaps until a decision is made on your work capability assessment. If found to have LCWRA then you'll be entitled to an extra £390.06/month from the 4th month of your claim. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick-guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition