Long distance house move

Fibleepy
Fibleepy Community member Posts: 43 Connected
edited October 12 in Housing and independent living

I hope I’ve posted this in the right place.

Is there any financial help out there with Universal Credit claimants who need to do a long distance house move?

I’ve heard about Discretionary Housing Payment but it says to apply through your local council but how do you do this when you’re moving from one council to another?

Is there any help through Universal Credit?

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Comments

  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 11,834 Championing

    I hope the house moves goes smoothly

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 61,493 Championing
    edited October 11

    The only thing you can apply for through UC is a budgeting Advance, if you've claimed certain means tested benefits for at least 6 months and had earnings of less than £2,600 if a single claim or £3,600 if couples claim. This is a loan and does need to be repaid back and your future UC payments will be reduced until it's paid back. More information in this link.

    https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/on-universal-credit/budgeting-advance/

    For the DHP you would need to apply through your current Local Authority.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments

    Yes, I moved long distance quite a few years ago and it wasn't easy but I did it. Good luck and I hope everything goes well for you.

  • Fibleepy
    Fibleepy Community member Posts: 43 Connected

    Thank you Poppy. Would I have to apply for the DHP through the council that I’m moving to?

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 61,493 Championing

    No because you're not living in the local Authority you're moving into yet so it would be your current LA you would need to apply to.

  • Fibleepy
    Fibleepy Community member Posts: 43 Connected

    so at what point do I apply to my current council before I move?

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 61,493 Championing

    Depends on when you're planning to move. You need to make sure you give it time for them to make a decision and the forms are quite complex too. Decision waiting times vary between different LA's.

  • Fibleepy
    Fibleepy Community member Posts: 43 Connected

    I could be moving within the next five weeks 😁

    Also, do I contact the council where I’m moving to once I arrive regarding council tax support?

    Soooo much to think about!

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 61,493 Championing

    Yes you will need to apply for Council Tax reduction at the new property.

  • Fibleepy
    Fibleepy Community member Posts: 43 Connected

    Thank you so much poppy123456….very helpful as always x

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 61,493 Championing

    You're welcome. Good luck with the move, if it goes ahead. It's always a very stressful process, worse if moving long distance but once it's done it's worth it.

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