Trapped. How do I even begin to look into moving out?

DoneAndBeyond

I'm in my late 20s and struggle with my mental health and am on PIP and ESA. I'd really like to move out of my parents house or do permitted work but I know any life improvements I make will be used against me in regards to future claims. I know my family feel this way too. I want to move out and become more independant like I should be at my age but I worry any changes I make will be used against me, my benefits will be taken away and i'll be thrust into the deep end way before i'm ready which will cause a relapse in my mental health and hard work. It makes it seem safer to just be a jobless loser living at home all my life, as it seems its all or nothing with this. Does anyone else feel this way? How do I even begin to look into moving out or starting permitted work to try and get my life together when I have this worry? What did you do?

poppy123456

Hi,

Moving out of your parents home and living by yourself doesn't mean you will lose entitlement to your benefits. PIP is about the help you need and not the help you get. ESA is about your ability to work, not about where you live. However, finding some where to live while claiming benefits is another matter entirely because this won't be easy.

When claiming ESA you can do permitted work, providing you make sure you work less than 16 hours/week and earn no more than £143 per week. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Permitted-Work-Rules

You must also make sure that the work you do doesn't contradict the reasons why you're claim both benefits, if it does then the decision could go against you next time it's made.

DoneAndBeyond

poppy123456 said:

Hi,

Moving out of your parents home and living by yourself doesn't mean you will lose entitlement to your benefits. PIP is about the help you need and not the help you get. ESA is about your ability to work, not about where you live. However, finding some where to live while claiming benefits is another matter entirely because this won't be easy.

When claiming ESA you can do permitted work, providing you make sure you work less than 16 hours/week and earn no more than £143 per week. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Permitted-Work-Rules

You must also make sure that the work you do doesn't contradict the reasons why you're claim both benefits, if it does then the decision could go against you next time it's made.

Thank you for your response!

I find it hard to believe my benefits wouldnt be affected if I was to move out or do permitted work. From my experience, the slightest sign i'm doing well and i'm pushed into doing things far too soon. All this from the system where one of their assessors asked me when I "got Aspergers". 

What is the reason behind it being difficult to find a place to live while on benefits? Is their a practical reason or does the stigma play a part? Surely I dont have to disclose i'm on benefits?

If I was to do permitted work, would this make it easier to find a place to move out to?

poppy123456

DoneAndBeyond said:

poppy123456 said:

Hi,

Moving out of your parents home and living by yourself doesn't mean you will lose entitlement to your benefits. PIP is about the help you need and not the help you get. ESA is about your ability to work, not about where you live. However, finding some where to live while claiming benefits is another matter entirely because this won't be easy.

When claiming ESA you can do permitted work, providing you make sure you work less than 16 hours/week and earn no more than £143 per week. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Permitted-Work-Rules

You must also make sure that the work you do doesn't contradict the reasons why you're claim both benefits, if it does then the decision could go against you next time it's made.

What is the reason behind it being difficult to find a place to live while on benefits? Is their a practical reason or does the stigma play a part? Surely I dont have to disclose i'm on benefits?

Simply because landlords often refuse those claiming benefits. Whether you disclose you're claiming benefits is your choice but bank statements maybe needed to prove afordability so hiding the benefits going into your bank will be difficult.

DoneAndBeyond said:

If I was to do permitted work, would this make it easier to find a place to move out to?

Unlikely because you would still be claiming help with the rent. If you did move into a place of your own you would need to claim Universal Credit for any help with the rent, unless you move into Supported living or temporary housing.

Any Income Related ESA would then end if you were to claim UC so permited work rules wouldn't apply. There's no maximum amount of hours you can work while claiming UC but you will have a work allowance, which will mean a certain amount of your earnings will be ignored before any deductions apply.

DoneAndBeyond said:

I find it hard to believe my benefits wouldnt be affected if I was to move out

This isn't correct. Lots of people live alone and claim the same benefits as you.

Danielle_2022

Hi @DoneAndBeyond,
Just wanted to say that I relate to many of your worries. Looking to live independently as a disabled person can often be scary and intimidating enough, without worrying about the financial stuff, too. There seems to be this idea that people claiming benefits shouldn't be allowed to afford any "luxuries" or things that bring them joy whatsoever, which was actually said to me at a meeting once. Still, that doesn't make it true and I hope the information provided by @poppy123456 reassures you that it will all work out in the end, with the right amount of planning.

Remember that even thinking about making this step is a wonderful achievement when your parents have provided so much support for so long. I have every faith that you'll be great living independently, as long as you remember to respect your own boundaries and not push yourself too hard. We'll do anything we can to support you in getting there, so please let us know about next steps etc. once you've figured it out