Autism, young adult, independent living, PIP, Housing help

RJS67

Our son is 23, and we're looking for independent living placements - he is independent to the point where he won't be in a flat with other young adults with SEN, but we're hoping to get him a flat as follows and wanted to know...

He gets pip (sorry for the older figures - it's what I had to hand)

PIP Daily Living - Enhanced = £89.60

PIP Mobility - Enhanced = £62.55

Employment and Support Allowance Award ** = 135.35 **

**(Living expenses - £77.00, Disability Income guarantee - £17.75, Extra money because he's in a support group - £40.60)

Our question is: will the local authority help our son with his rent, or does he need to pay his rent out of the benefits he already receives? 

Regards

Diane

poppy123456

For help with any rent he'll need to claim Universal Credit, unless he'll be living in either supported housing or temporary housing. If he claims UC this will end Income Related ESA.

If he claims UC then he'll be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of his claim.

If he does move to his own place then if no one's claiming either carers allowance or carers element of UC for looking after him then before claiming UC he should claim the Severe disability Premium (part of ESA) this will then entitle him to the SDP transitional protection in with his UC maximum entitlement.

If he'll be privately renting the he'll be entitled to the 1 bedroom rate of LHA. See the rates here. https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

RJS67

So, if he's privately renting - we claim the UC for him but part of that is made up of the LHA, or the LHA is on top of the UC? 

We just want all our ducks in a row before we start thinking about location as near to us as possible. 

Thank you in advance

Diane

poppy123456

UC is one payment made up of many different elements. So housing costs known as housing element will be included. 

RJS67

Thank you for your help with this. Diane x