First time moving to a council flat

[User11522]

First time using this site, perhaps it's not the right forum but I'm not sure.

I'm on my councils housing register as priority. I'm currently 21 and have a disability, I claim PIP Disability benefits, well my mums my carer. When I eventually move to the council bedsit, does anyone know what benefits I would need to claim? I currently don't work.

Welcome to mumsnet

Surely each case is based individually on their needs, so how would anyone on here know what you personally would be able to claim? Will you be employing a private carer when you move out- or expect your mum to continue to do this? This might effect benefits too. I would think social services would be best to ask.

You're probably best off contacting citizens advice.

Have a look at www.turn2us.org.uk for benefits advice.

Depending on where you are, you might also get a decorating grant from your council, which you can put towards your new home - it won't have carpets or curtains, white goods etc, you need to supply all those for yourself.

Do you currently claim any other benefits apart from PIP ? Do you work ? If you will need help to pay the rent on the council property then the benefit to claim would be Universal credit. If you already claim Universal credit then you can just add the rent element when you move into the property. The only time you wouldn't claim UC is if the housing is classed as emergency accomodation.

@MarmiteCoriander

Welcome to mumsnet

Surely each case is based individually on their needs, so how would anyone on here know what you personally would be able to claim? Will you be employing a private carer when you move out- or expect your mum to continue to do this? This might effect benefits too. I would think social services would be best to ask.

Lots of people on MN would know how to advise op. There are lots of people who advise on benefits and do so regularly.

@User11522

First time using this site, perhaps it's not the right forum but I'm not sure.

I'm on my councils housing register as priority. I'm currently 21 and have a disability, I claim PIP Disability benefits, well my mums my carer. When I eventually move to the council bedsit, does anyone know what benefits I would need to claim? I currently don't work.

Sorry op, just seen that you don't work. Do you currently claim an income replacement benefit like ESA or Universal credit as well as the PIP ? If not then you should be aware you could potentially claim Universal credit now as long as you do not have savings in excess of 16k. It is separate from PIP.

@Babyroobs

Do you currently claim any other benefits apart from PIP ? Do you work ? If you will need help to pay the rent on the council property then the benefit to claim would be Universal credit. If you already claim Universal credit then you can just add the rent element when you move into the property. The only time you wouldn't claim UC is if the housing is classed as emergency accomodation.

So I don't claim universal credit, I get PIP perhaps more benefits but not universal credit. My mums my carer so she gets carers allowance, but she doesn't do much other than take me to appointments. From the PIP daily allowance she takes more than half as she charges me rent since I was 16, the mobility element she uses the car to visit her partner daily. Yet when I want to learn how to drive she keeps making excuses. When I turned 16, the letters came in the post with my name on it, she initially tried to tell and say it was hers, then conceded. So I'm being financially abused, nobody believes me.

I decided to record some voice recordings and send it to a disability charity, who said since I have siblings who are minors they'd be able to contact social services as it was a concern. But I didn't want to go ahead with it. Even when I have a appointment it's like I have to work on her schedule.

She works when she's meant to be my full time carer, she doesn't pay tax and claims several benefits. I live in a council flat with my mother, she gets some discount I'm not sure what exactly, so she barely pays rent for the property because I have a disability. But if I were to leave, she'd have to pay the full amount.

My plan I guess, is to get the council property and move without telling her. But realistically I know it's not going to work.

If I went to the GP Or did report her, I have no concrete evidence in comparison she can articulate herself very well and all my other siblings will defend her regardless.

Sorry I digress, its just cathartic.

@HirplesWithHaggis

Have a look at www.turn2us.org.uk for benefits advice.

Depending on where you are, you might also get a decorating grant from your council, which you can put towards your new home - it won't have carpets or curtains, white goods etc, you need to supply all those for yourself.

Thanks will check it out.

Yep, my council provide beds, mattresses, washing machine, fridge and oven. Just no floor.

Op you would claim UC, plus Pip. Yo word get housing element within your uc to pat your rent .

Apply to the housing register and put on your application that you are being finnsncually abused and need to leave. Put a c/o address for letter if you have one you can use, or request letters by email.

I think you need to start a new thread with the information that you’ve provided. I feel like adult services should help you in this situation but I have no experience in this area at all and I wouldn’t want to mislead you.

Hi, you would be entitled to universal credit with a housing related element & your council tax would be discounted or paid in full.

With regards to your PIP I would suggest making contact to advise them that you will living independently in the future & to make sure that both your mobility & daily living elements are paid to you directly as you wish to learn to drive etc.

It may be worth getting in touch with adult services at your local council to seek guidance as you feel that your mother may be obstructive when you are allocated a property & wish to move. They could also refer you to an appropriate tenancy support service to guide you through the first few months of living independently & possibly assist you to gain a grant for carpeting/floor coverings.

Hope this helps & best wishes

Apologies that should have read adult social services at your local council. It's single point of access where I live but not sure if its the same title nationwide.

Welcome to mumsnet!

It might be useful to know just how fast or slow you are likely to get housing of your own. If you are on the register in London, even as a priority it might be years. Elsewhere it might be months. Location makes a huge difference. (I'm not asking you to disclose where you live, just pointing out that this is worth looking in to.)

If your mum isn't providing 35 hours of care for you a work then she shouldn't be claiming carers allowance.

It sounds like you are in a difficult position OP - I hope you can get some support somewhere

I'm sorry your Mum is treating you so badly
I think the first step should be an appointment with CAB as they can help you apply for further benefits you will be entitled to, and they will also liaise with the other agencies on your behalf
I'm disabled on PIP and ESA myself and they've been really kind, helpful and non judgemental

@ImFree2doasiwant

Op you would claim UC, plus Pip. Yo word get housing element within your uc to pat your rent .

Apply to the housing register and put on your application that you are being finnsncually abused and need to leave. Put a c/o address for letter if you have one you can use, or request letters by email.

I'm on the housing register, but I can't tell them I'm being financially abused, I can't put my mum in that position really. As for UC, my mum would take a big chunk of it if she realises I claim it. She would take it as more rent, so it's just not worth claiming it.

I'm going to contact Citizens advice and see what they say.

@purdypuma

Hi, you would be entitled to universal credit with a housing related element & your council tax would be discounted or paid in full.

With regards to your PIP I would suggest making contact to advise them that you will living independently in the future & to make sure that both your mobility & daily living elements are paid to you directly as you wish to learn to drive etc.

It may be worth getting in touch with adult services at your local council to seek guidance as you feel that your mother may be obstructive when you are allocated a property & wish to move. They could also refer you to an appropriate tenancy support service to guide you through the first few months of living independently & possibly assist you to gain a grant for carpeting/floor coverings.

Hope this helps & best wishes

I did contact the adult social services, but they were not very interested, they were taking weeks to respond to emails and eventually said they can put me in contact with the council's safeguarding team. So I probably will contact them.

@LittleG69

If your mum isn't providing 35 hours of care for you a work then she shouldn't be claiming carers allowance.

It sounds like you are in a difficult position OP - I hope you can get some support somewhere

Yep, she's gone abroad for a cosmetic procedure and holidays (I didn't want to go with her & my siblings) In the past. I just don't want to uproot my siblings lives, so there's my dilemma.

Suggest, you definitely need to apply for benefits in your own name

1
Take some identification to the Post office & open your own bank account with £1

2
Claim universal credit via www.gov.uk
This will pay money direct to you while you are not working

This also pays your National Insurance which will contribute to your state pension when you retire. The current state retirement age is 66. This is important.

You may also become eligible for other free things like: free prescriptions, free glasses, free dentist, free college courses, maternity pay, sick pay etc

www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/new-to-universal-credit/is-it-for-me/

Apply for universal credit today

You need 35 years of National Insurance contributions to claim a full state pension

So you must put in a claim

The claim is for YOU (not your Mum)

@Ind00rOud00r2

You need 35 years of National Insurance contributions to claim a full state pension

So you must put in a claim

The claim is for YOU (not your Mum)

Op is not sure whether her mum claims other benefits for her though ? She could already have an ESA claim if she's been on benefits for a while. Op needs to be aware that that would stop after a two week run on if she claims UC. I agree it would be good to have a UC claim set up before moving though as then the housing / rent element can be easily added.

Why would it uproot your siblings? It does not sound as of she meets the criteria to be a paid carer and should not have free use of your mobility car. Safeguarding team is a good place to start. Are you potentially able to work in any form? I am doubtful you would be able to move out without her knowing if she controls your finances. Who opens your post etc?

Op why does she have control of your finances - is she your appointee ? If so then she would have had to prove that you don't have capacity to control your own finances/ benefits. If there is no longer a reason for her to be your appointee, you need to contact the relevant benefit departments and see if they will speak to you, or as above adult social services.

Have you asked the council housing department these questions

How long in time is the housing list ?

How many people are on the housing list ?

Does your council offer housing in other areas (could be 200+ miles away) ?

Do you have to bid yourself for housing or does the system bid for you automatically ?