Universal credit and domestic abuse

[Truro]

Hi, I've read there's special provision on universal credits provided by DWP for domestic abuse victims, but to get support you need a professional to provide written evidence.

I asked the women's org who helped me leave him if they could write the letter and they said yes but wanted more info on what to include.

I've looked for guidance on what sort of things need to be on there and I can't find anything. The abuse was verbal/psychological and coercive control and nothing was ever reported. I can't really think of anything big that he did, it was years and years of having my head messed around with, lots of small things that all added up, and being controlled until it got to the point he didn't need to stop me doing anything because I knew the rules. Has anyone been through similar or know where I can find more guidance on this?

I've not informed DWP yet, maybe that's what I need to do first. I'm holding back until I know more what I'm doing as once you inform them you have a 1 month time frame to supply the evidence so I wanted to be prepared first.

Link below to explain what I'm talking about better. Sorry, I'm a bit all over the place.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/domestic-violence-and-abuse-help-from-dwp/help-available-from-the-department-for-work-and-pensions-for-people-who-are-victims-of-domestic-violence-and-abuse#providing-evidence-of-domestic-violence-and-abuse

You will need written evidence from a person acting in an official capacity showing that:

your circumstances are consistent with those of a person who has had domestic violence or abuse inflicted, or threatened, upon them, during the 6 months prior to you notifying DWP
you have made contact with the person acting in an official capacity to tell them about any incidents that have occurred in the past 6 months

What sort of special provision are you asking for? You're post isn't clear. Anyone can claim UC its based on income.

@StephenBelafonte www.gov.uk/government/publications/domestic-violence-and-abuse-help-from-dwp/help-available-from-the-department-for-work-and-pensions-for-people-who-are-victims-of-domestic-violence-and-abuse

From reading the government website, I think you can call your local DWP office and ask them what they would like to see.

Stephen I own a house with ex and the normal guidance says you cannot claim if you own a property but don't live there. I think the provisions allow an exception to this for up to a year. I'm staying with relatives at present, away from my dc. I want to get help just for a month or two so I can rent somewhere to be with dc again, and hopefully find a job quickly and just get on with my life.

Thank you Diana I will call them tomorrow.

I think you are getting the provisions confused.

If you have own a property you don't live in it can be disregarded for up to 6 months following a relationship breakdown. It can be disregarded for a further 6 months (longer if reasonable) once it is on the market. There are also disregards for the money from a sale if you intend to use it to buy somewhere. These apply to everyone.

The DV provision for the housing element in your link is that you can claim help with rent for two properties if you have left home due to DV but intend to return to your former property. So they will allow you to claim help with rent for your main home and your temporary home for up to 12 months.

Thank you @RavingAnnie. I will call DWP to talk about it then as I tried to apply online and when I said about owning a house it said I didn't qualify.

If the application doesn't allow you to proceed, you can select that you don't have any capital (or disclose the other capital you have only). Then when the application is complete add a note to your journal explaining that you jointly own a property but your relationship has just ended and that you understand it's value can be disregarded for 6 months. The decision should then be passed to a complex decision maker.

If they decline, you can challenge the decision.

You may wish however to get the proof you need re the DV for some of the other provisions you may be entitled to that were outlined on the page you linked to.

NB the staff on the UC helpline have very limited knowledge of UC and individual reps vary significantly in their knowledge. You could call up and ask the same question three times and get three different answers. I very much doubt if you called them that they would know about the capital disregards.

Also, I think if leaving DV there is no work commitment for 6 months? I don't know what age your children are, but normally you are expected to look for work for a certain number of hours. However, if leaving DV you are not expected to look for work (I think its a small period of respite to allow you to get back on your feet).

I'm so sorry you're going through this. @RavingAnnie has given some really good advice. Good Luck

@Truro please can you update us on the outcome of this (once everything is sorted)?

Thank you for asking for an update. I have applied for UC using my home address (not the relatives I'm staying with) and didn't apply for housing benefit. Waiting to hear if I will get accepted. I spoke to citizens advice and they told me I should find a property to rent before attempting to claim for housing/informing of plans to sell the house etc.

So far I'm struggling to find anyone who will rent to me, even with a guarantor. I might have to stay where I am, living with relatives until the house sells, but it means only seeing my dc on weekends and holidays. I began looking before I wrote my op and I've been turned down numerous times for either not having a job or for having dc (aged 6 and 8). I've had viewings arranged and called before to check all is still going ahead, to be told the property has gone. I've left messages with estate agents who don't get back to me. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong but I feel useless. I'm trying to find a job of course but haven't had any response from any I've applied for. It all feels too much. I don't understand the benefits system at all. It's probably all straightforward but it's getting on top of me. Sorry if I sound like an idiot.

I know I'm fortunate in many ways, to have relatives who have taken me in, and to have my share of the house when it does sell. I know I shouldn't grumble, I just want to be properly back on my feet and be a proper mother to my dc. I hope I'll be back with a more positive update one day.

I'm so sorry you are going through this. You have my deepest sympathies - there is light at the end of the tunnel. Please try to stay strong.

You are doing absolutely nothing wrong. Most landlords cannot take people without a job as their mortgages don't allow it. Your local council will normally have a list of landlords/properties that will accept those claiming help with housing and/or out of work.

Also, please put yourself on your local housing list. Normally if you're a victim of Domestic Violence you will be a priority. You need input from your support worker as most councils are very reluctant to tell you this or action this. I don't know how your share in your home would affect this, but apply first and clearly note this at the end.

Can you relatives not let your children stay at all? Even some nights?

How much is your share in the home worth? Is it enough to buy another property outright? Or have you considered part-buy properties?

Things will get better