Housing Benefit

Wilsontheparrot25

Hi all I’m new here. This is my first post.
I am on ESA as I suffer from Hemicrania Continua (chronic migraines) A type of migraine that has varying severity of pain levels and the severity’s have a big impact on my daily routine and activities. My daughter has recently moved out this week so we need to now claim housing benefit to help with the cost of the rent which my daughter was previously paying for. I haven’t received a migration letter yet to transfer to universal credit.Would I be able to contact them to see if they can send a migration letter out or would I have to wait until they send it but it may be months before get it and the rent needs to be paid so not sure what to do. Thanks for reading. Angie

Kimi87

As you now need help with rent, you need to start an application for Universal Credit, to get Housing Element.

You've had a change of circumstances which necessitates a move to UC, called natural migration.

You don't need to wait for a letter (managed migration).

Both are valid routes to change from legacy benefits to UC.

Wilsontheparrot25

Will it be like I’m doing a new claim if I apply for universal credit and how will it affect my work capability assessment.

Kimi87

Technically every claim for UC is classed as a new claim.

Your ESA status transfers over giving you automatic entitlement to the UC equivalent either LCWRA (Support Group) or LCW (work related activity group).

This can take a few weeks to confirm.

A new WCA won't be required.

Mary_Scope

Hello @Wilsontheparrot25 and welcome to the community!!

I see Kimmy has given some great advice and answered your question so I won't add anything else today but it's lovely to have you here on the community!