Moving out of parents while on benefits?

CSmith91 said:

I assume I would need to move from ESA and onto UC to get some kind of support with the renting costs?

That is correct. the help with rent will be limited to the lower of the actual rent or the one bedroom (assuming it’s just the two of you) Local Housing Allowance for the postcode.
https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/Search.aspx
You would retain any contribution based ESA alongside UC but the ESA would be deducted from theUC.

CSmith91 said:

Would I be allowed to rent from a private landlord or is council housing my only option? (I dont think I even quality for council housing so I guess not)

You would almost certainly have to rent privately. You are very unlikely to get Council Housing when you are already housed.

CSmith91 said:

Is it hard to find a landlord who rents to people on benefits and what are the ways around that?

It can be hard to find landlords who will rent to people on benefits. Others may be able to offer tips on this.

Does your partner also claim benefits? Living with a partner both of you would have to claim UC and your entitlement will be based on your joint financial circumstances. 

CSmith91 said:

Can you please tell me what would be my next step, do I call the agent and tell them I'm interested but don't currently have UC?

You can do it either way. You could apply for UC now and get it set up then when/if you move you would report a change to UC and the help with housing would be added to your claim. Alternatively you can wait until you are definitely moving and apply or UC at that time.

CSmith91 said:

If an landlord is accepting/considering DSS, does that mean it's possible to support ones self on benefits alone?

People have to do this but it is not easy. The help with rent may not cover all of the rent in which case some of the money you receive which is meant for living expenses will end up being used to pay your rent. You will also have the cost of gas and electric  to consider.

CSmith91 said:

Is the move from ESA to UC typically an increase in money, especially if housing element gets added on?

How much UC you get will entirely depend on your circumstances. As a single claimant n the ESA Support Group, if you have no other income, you are likely to receive slightly more money on UC than you currently do on ESA even while living at your parents home - but you would need to do a benefits check for your individual circumstances to confirm whether or not this is the case.

Thew addition of help with rent would then increase the amount of UC you receive but as noted above may be less than the rent so your disposable income after paying your rent would be less than you are used to.

CSmith91 said:
My partner is from Canada so I don't think she'll be entitled to any benefits at this time, sadly.

This raise a further complication. If your partner has NRPF (No Recourse to Public Funds) they will still have to claim UC but no money will be included for them in the calculation of what you are entitled to. However any earnings and/or savings they have will be taken into account. Presumably they work, if their job is well paid there may be no UC entitlement. If there isn't going to be any UC entitlement then you may as well stay on ESA.

However even if you remain on ESA if you live with them you would need to declare this and their finances would affect your income based ESA. Any contribution based ESA you receive would not be affected. Do you know if your ESA includes any contribution based amount?

If you rent you may also need to pay Council Tax. There isa benefit called Council Tax Reduction which can help with this but there are complications claiming this if you live with a partner with NRPF and claiming it can, arguably, affect their immigration status.

I recommend you get advice fro a local benefits agency who can offer advice taking into account your specific circumstances. You should also ask them about any implications for your partner's immigration status.
https://advicelocal.uk

I'll agree a guarantor will be needed but whether this will increase your chances of finding a proptery is another matter. There's a lot of LL's out there that will refuse even with this and the 6 months rent upfront. I've found that over the years it just gets more and more difficult to find a LL that accepts those DSS tenants.