Need to move for sanity - but scared of losing benefits (ESA/PIP)

ScaredFuture

Hello,

I currently recieve the enchanced rates for both PIP components, Im in the support group for ESA and was recently awarded the SDP.

Without going into the specifics of my problems, I am severely ill both mentally and physically.

I believe for my life to get better I need to move away from where I am living.

I currently rent privately and just pay out of my benefits - I have never claimed HB.

I suppose I have two options, move within my current council area or move outside of it.

Either way, I am worried that I would have to make a brand new claim and be put on UC.

What is the reality for either moving choice? Am I going to lose out no matter what - I am scared because of the cost of living is seriously getting insane.

On the flip side, maybe I could claim Housing Benefit and might actually end up better off? Its tricky to know what to do. I am desperate to live away from my current place and go somewhere quiet. I really want a chance of recovery and it doesnt exist in my current living place.

Thank you for your time.

P.S. for housing benefit would I be eligible for the 1 bedroom rate or shared? (there is no way I could be expected to share)

poppy123456

You can't claim housing benefit because new claims for working age people are no longer possible unless you're either living in supported or temporary housing.

If you move house and don't claim for help with the rent then your existing benefits will continue and it will just be a change of address.

If you want to claim for help with any rent then you will need to claim Universal Credit. If you claim this, it will end any Income Related ESA you're claiming 2 weeks after you claim UC. Any contributions based ESA will continue but be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

As you're in the Support Group you'll be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of your claim but it may take a few weeks for it to be added to your claim.

As a single person as you're privately renting then you'll be entitled to the 1 bedroom rate of local housing allowance. Check here. https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/ You will need to provide proof of your rent such as a tenancy agreement.

If you claim UC because you're claiming SDP then you'll be entitled to the SDP transitional protection (TP) of an extra £120/month in your maximum UC entitlement.

Your UC will include single person standard element, LCWRA element, housing element and TP. However, the TP will erode over time so if other elements increase the TP decreases.

As you're not currently claiming for help with any rent moving across to UC may not be such a bad idea, even though your ESA includes the SDP. You maybe aware that you will eventually have to claim UC anyway because all the old means tested benefits will soon be ending.

Use a benefits calculator to check the figures.  https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=794d88ee-7341-4527-8cee-8858114398ff

PIP will continue as normal and isn't part of UC. Council tax reduction also isn't part of UC and needs to be claimed from your Local Authority.

ScaredFuture

Thank you so much Poppy. It does seem that even without the TP, I'd still be slightly better off on UC - all because of the help with rent that im currently not claiming.

As you say, we will all be moved to UC eventually anyway.

If I moved to a different Local Authority but didn't ask for help with rent, would my legacy benefits stay the same or would it change because I left my Local Authority and thats considered a chance in circumstances?

Thanks again.

poppy123456

As I advised earlier if you don’t claim for help with any rent it makes no difference where you move to, you will remain on your current benefits. It’s not a change of circumstances that would prompt a move across.