Loosing my Housing accommodation, PIP and LCWRA UC

SmoothyII

Hello Adrian,

Thank you for your recent email. It's always good to feel that there is someone out there!

Sorry to bother you, I wonder if someone can help me.

I am a 60 year old separated man.

I am receiving UC and enhanced PIP payment due to chronic depression, bipolar and socialanxiety. I have been receiving this payment for over a year.

I am currently living with friends. However, they have just told me that they are probably going to move soon. They are downsizing due to high rents in the area. Their new house may not be big enough for me to join them.

So I may be homeless soon or at best sofa surfing at other friends?

If I move out from my current area in London to another borough of London or another city in the UK how will that impact my payments?

I am on the electoral register for my current address. Do I have to notify them if I move?

Do I have to notify UC and PIP?

If so, what will happen?

Will they stop or reduce my payments?

This is a very stressful time for me. I am not thinking straight and this is greatly affecting my moods.

What are my options?

Please let me know if this is the right thread for me, or should I post on another one?

Is this conversation confidential?

Thank you in advance,

SmoothyII.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @SmoothyII,

I've just moved this to the UC category where you may be able to get more support.

Your posts are available for everyone to see, however, your username gives you anonymity. Just remember not to use your real name or any other identifying information 😊

SmoothyII

Thank you Rachel,

Much appreciated!

poppy123456

If you move house then yes just a change of address is needed for both UC and PIP. First thing you should do is to put your name down on the social/council housing list, if that's possible. You will find more details here. https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-council-housing There will likely be criteria that you need to meet for that, such as living in your area for X amount of years or having a local connection to that area through family. However, even with your name on the list it could still be years before you're offered a property, especially if you're a single person.

Other than that there's privately rented landlords but this isn't an easy process because a lot of landlords will refuse those claiming benefits. If you're lucky to find one then they may ask for a guarantor.

Failing that you could also speak to shelter who may have other information they could give you.

https://www.shelter.org.uk

SmoothyII

Thank you Poppy!

I have tried all your options, but to no avail, as you said. I know I won't survive in a shelter, that's just not an option for me in my mental condition.

If I become of no fixed abode, (sofa surfing) will that affect my payments?

What will happen to me if I don't tell UC/PIP I no longer live at my current address?

Thank you so much for your help!

poppy123456

When I advised to contact shelter, these are an advice agency for homeless people. It's not a place to live. Please have a look at the link I posted.

You can continue your benefits with no fixed abode. If you're currently claiming for help with the rent then this would end, if you have no liability to pay rent.

SmoothyII

Thanks again, Poppy.

Do I have to notify UC/PIP if I am of no fixed abode?

poppy123456

You're welcome. You need to give a contact address just incase PIP contact you by letter. If you're claiming for help with the rent at the moment then yes you will need to tell UC.

SmoothyII

Thank you, Poppy.

I wasn't aware that I could ask for financial help with rent. Thank you for letting me know.

Do I ask UC, PIP or the local council for rent assistance?

How much can I ask for?

If I request and then receive rent, will this negatively affect my friends government financial support, whom I am living with?

If I can help my friends with rent, they may allow me to move with them. I will brooch the subject once I have all the information.

Kind regards

SmoothyII

Thank you, Jacob,

Who can I contact re rent assistance?

Kind regards

poppy123456

To claim for help with the rent you need to have a liability to pay it, such as a lodgers agreement or tenancy agreement.

Rent will be included as extra in your UC payments known as housing element. You would be entitled to the 1 bedroom rate if local housing allowance. (LHA) This would be the maximum amount you could claim but you can’t claim for anymore than what your rent actually is. You can check the rates here https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

SmoothyII

Thanks again, Poppy for your continued help!