Moving out

krj98

I’m on UC LCWRA and PIP looking to move out of my parents home, I don’t pay any rent but I’ve read I can’t claim housing benefits if I live with any close relatives, does that mean I have to find somewhere to live first?. Is there any advice anybody can give me about receiving any help to rent somewhere or is that just not possible whilst living with parents? Thanks

poppy123456

You will not be able to make a new claim for housing benefit anyway, unless you're living in either supported or temporary housing. Help with the rent will be through UC known as housing element. Housing element and housing benefit are two completely different benefits.

Whether you'll be able to claim help with any rent when living with close relatives will depend on whether you're named on the tenancy agreement. If you're not then whether you're entitled will depend on which relative it is. If it's either your parents, children, step children, siblings, including half brothers/sisters, as well as partners of those close relatives https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/claiming_benefits_if_you_rent_from_family

Yes, you will need to find somewhere to live first, you can't claim for help with the rent before finding somewhere.

krj98

poppy123456 said:

You will not be able to make a new claim for housing benefit anyway, unless you're living in either supported or temporary housing. Help with the rent will be through UC known as housing element. Housing element and housing benefit are two completely different benefits.

Whether you'll be able to claim help with any rent when living with close relatives will depend on whether you're named on the tenancy agreement. If you're not then whether you're entitled will depend on which relative it is. If it's either your parents, children, step children, siblings, including half brothers/sisters, as well as partners of those close relatives https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/claiming_benefits_if_you_rent_from_family

Yes, you will need to find somewhere to live first, you can't claim for help with the rent before finding somewhere.

I’m not on any tenancy agreements, so if I find somewhere to live first will I then be entitled to housing benefits/housing element? I’ve never heard about housing element before, does that qualify as DSS? 

poppy123456

You can't claim for help with any rent until you find somewhere to live. If you live with close relatives( see above link for details of close relatives) you won't be able to claim for help with any rent if you're paying a close relative rent to live there. You need proof of eligibility to pay rent such as logders agreement or tenancy agreement.

Housing element is part of UC and is help towards your rent. DSS? That's something a landlord or letting agency refers to when someone claims benefits..it's very very difficult to find any landlord that will accept a tenant claiming benefits. It's not impossible, just very very diffficult. Details here for housing element.https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/how_to_claim_universal_credit/how_your_housing_element_is_worked_out

The best thing to do is find somewhere to live and then come back for some advice and someone will be able to advise you further.