What will happen to my ESA when I move out of the area and live with my elderly mother?

clothears

Hello

I am in my fifties, in the Support Group for ESA, and in receipt of PIP, Housing Benefit and Council Tax exemption. I am not sure why these benefits were chosen for me, but at the time I applied, I was living in Supported Housing for people who are Deaf-Blind, Deaf, Hard of Hearing and at risk of developing mental health problems. This was in 2016. The Supported Housing scheme supports people for up to 5 years, usually, and I moved on in 2020, and I have been living since then, alone and independent, in a Council flat in Bristol.

My mum is 81, and she wants to move out from where she is, also in the Bristol area, and live with me up North near her twin in the Newcastle area. Mum’s mobility is very poor, she has some health problems, and she tends towards incontinence. I will become her full-time carer, her pension is her only source of income, and she is not on benefits.

I understand I will have to notify the DWP of my change of address/circumstances, and that I will no longer receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax exemption, because mum will be buying her new home outright. I know I will still receive PIP, but I am uncertain what will change with regards to my ESA, if anything. Does anybody know?

I am concerned I may have to undergo a new assessment, and since I am probably no longer iron –deficient anaemic, which I was until a couple of years ago, I may be asked to seek employment. But working, if anybody will even employ a deaf, older woman when jobs are already scarce, would likely mean having to buy a more expensive bungalow in a more expensive area, which mum might not be able to afford, or indeed want. I would have limited capacity to work as I am deaf and my sign language skills are not at fluency level, and my energy levels are not good (even without the iron-deficiency). And mum shouldn’t be left alone for long periods. She also has hearing problems and cannot just pick up the phone and call me, if I am out of the house.

In addition to the above, I am wondering if there are any other things I need to be aware of, regarding benefits, from moving from one area of the UK to another? Is ESA location-dependant? For example, I don't have to have been living in a particular area for a certain period before applying or re-applying for benefits?

Many thanks.

poppy123456

Yes your HB and CTR will stop because you won't be entitled to help with the rent when you live with your mum.

If your ESA is Income Related and you're still claiming this if you move then this will continue and it will be just a change of address because you won't be claiming for help with the rent. PIP also continues as its just a change of address.

If your ESA includes the Severe disability Premium due to living alone then this will stop unless your mum is either claiming a qualifying disability benefit herself or she's registered blind.

If by that time you've migrated to Universal Credit then this just continues as normal but with a change of address. ESA/PIP/UC rules all apply nationally, the area you live is irrelevant.

As your mum has health conditions has she looked into claiming Attendance Allowance? It's not means tested so other income doesn't aftect the amount she's entitled to.

clothears

Hi poppy123456 - Very many thanks for your help.

Yes, my ESA is Income-Related, and I believe I receive the Severe disability premium. A bit strange this will stop just because I'll be living with my mum though?

I did look on the government website regarding Attendance Allowance, but it seems people over a certain age are not eligible. Perhaps you can tell me for sure, or link me to something clearer that I can read through?

poppy123456

For the SDP you must either live alone or be treated as living alone. As your mum isn't claiming a qualifying disability benefit and she's not registered blind then you will not be entitled to it. See link. https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/severe-disability-premium/can-i-get-a-severe-disability-premium

For AA you must be state pension age or above, there's no upper age limit. See link. https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/eligibility

clothears

Gosh, I read that wrong then. It seems she could be eligible then. That's useful. Thank you very much. I will get her to apply asap. If she gets AA then at least that will compensate for the loss of my SDP. And perhaps I can get Carer's Allowance too.

poppy123456

You're welcome. There's lots more information here about AA. https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/benefits-if-you-are-disabled-ill-or-injured/attendance-allowance/

If she's awarded and you're still claiming Income Related ESA then you will be entitled to SDP again and you can ring them to reclaim it. (assuming you'll be the only 2 adults in the house)

There may also be some entitlement to Pension Credit for her too because she would also be entitled to SDP (known as SDA for those claiming Pension Credit) If you claim carers allowance for looking after her then she would not be entitled to SDA because that would prevent her from claiming.

She could claim Carers allowance for looking after you. However, if her state pension is more than £81.90/week she wouldn't receive carers allowance. Instead she would have an underlying entitlement to it which means this will increase entitlement to Pension Credit even further. An underlying entitlement to CA doesn't affect entitlement to SDP so you could still claim that.

It's very complicated but hopefully I explained it well enough for you to understand.

clothears

Fingers and toes are crossed mum will get AA then. That's amazing information you've given, poppy123456, thank you so very much.

poppy123456

You're very welcome!

clothears

Since I last posted here, some changes have been made, and I would be grateful for advice on how to navigate them.

Mum has suddenly moved up to Northumbria and bought a static caravan to live in while her house in Bristol is on the market.

I still have my Council flat in Bristol, but I want to move so I can either live with mum in her caravan, or rent somewhere close by. The latter is proving challenging:

I have looked into doing a home swap on HomeSwapper, but there is a technical issue with the website, so I cannot use it. I have registered with a housing association in Northumbria, but I don't know how long it will take to get offered a flat. I also made enquiries regarding renting privately, but one-bed flats that accept housing benefit are thinner on the ground and, again, I don't know how long that might take. Plus, private renting (as well as some of the flats with the HA) might mean I have to pay some of the rent out of my own pocket, which seems silly when I would mostly be renting just to satisfy the benefits system, when I could otherwise be living in the caravan with mum.

The problem with the caravan is that it is not an official domicile, and I am assuming we therefore cannot apply for Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit or Carer's Allowance, is that correct?

If I move in with mum into her static caravan and I come off HB, would that affect my other benefits, and if so, how?

Thank you very much in advance.

poppy123456

If you find a privately landlord that accepts you then yes you may need to pay a shortfall of rent because Local Housing allowance rates rarely cover the whole rent. Also you would not be able to reclaim housing benefit because it no longer exists for new claims. You will need to claim Universal Credit for help with the rent. This would then end any Income Related ESA you're claiming.

Same applies for social housing and you will need to claim UC. For social housing your whole rent would be covered, unless you have spare bedrooms and then you would be affected by the bedroom tax.

If you live in the caravan with your mum then none of the benefits you mentioned will stop. It doesn't matter where your mum lives, there's still entitlement to those benefits.

Stopping HB will not affect any of your benefits.

clothears

Hi poppy123456

Thanks very much.

The static caravan is in a caravan park, aka a holiday park, where we cannot receive mail. It cannot be used as a permanent address. Does this make a difference?

Thank you.

poppy123456

You're welcome, no, it will not. People who are homeless claim benefits.

clothears

Thank you poppy123456.

Mum's going to apply for AA first, then, and then I'll give up my Council flat and move in with her.

Thank you, again, for making the way clear.

poppy123456

You're very welcome.