Advice about moving

yuna89

Hi,

I was looking for some advice around benefits. Me and my partner are currently living separately moving around family members' houses, with no fixed addresses. This happened because the landlord wanted to sell the house we were renting. We found this out while I was leaving full time employment due to my health, with my health and job situation along with the cost of living we were unable to find somewhere else. This was around a year ago.

Our current situation is we are living separately with no fixed address - my partner is in full time employment and I am now receiving PIP and in the support group for ESA. We are trying to find somewhere to live together again, however, we are unsure of our options due to money. We have filled out different benefits calculators but some have said I could claim PIP and ESA, even though I've filled it out saying I am already receiving them. On my ESA letters it says I could be entitled to housing payments or reduction in council tax but I'm unsure how to check this or what other help I may be entitled to.

My questions are - How would I go about knowing what I could be claiming if we lived together again? As I'm struggling to find somewhere to live without knowing what I could afford. Also, would my ESA be effected if we lived together again? I started claiming this since we had to leave our house.

Thank you :)

Kimmy87

You would need to fill out one of the benefit calculators with both your circumstances, to see your entitlement as a couple.

For help with rent you would make a joint claim for Universal Credit, if eligible Housing Element would pay towards your rent.

See link for the maximum you would get paid:

https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

Your ESA would continue as now and be deducted in full from any UC award (£598.86 a month).

For help with Council Tax you would apply via your your local council for Council Tax Reduction

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/council-tax/applying-for-council-tax-reduction/

yuna89

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/994301#Comment_994301

Hi Kimmy87,

thank you so much for your reply and the information :)

We've filled out various benefits calculators as a couple but are still a bit lost unfortunately, I fill in to say I currently claim ESA but some calculators suggest I could claim 'Limited capability for work-related activity' under Universal Credit. I'm a bit lost with it all, is there anywhere I could work it all out with someone to explain things? I've tried contacting Citizen's Advice but haven't been able to get through yet, wasn't sure if there's anywhere else I could try?

thank you for the links also, they're a great help :)

Kimmy87

Because of your ESA you would be automatically entitled to the UC equivalent which is LCWRA element.

This would be added to your joint UC award before deductions.

You'd also have a work allowance of £404. This is the amount your partner can earn before deductions are made. After that amount, the standard deduction of £0.55 for every £1 would apply.

See if there is someone else local

https://advicelocal.uk/welfare-benefits

Or Scope have a helpline https://www.scope.org.uk/helpline#:~:text=Scope's%20helpline%20provides%20free%2C%20independent,disabled%20people%20and%20their%20families.&text=Phone%3A%200808%20800%203333.,18001%20then%200808%20800%203333

yuna89

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/994358#Comment_994358

Thank you so much for taking the time to explain that and for the links :) that's great, will give those a try. Thank you!