Refuge second time. Double housing benefit again?

[thoughtIdBeRebuildingbynow]

Sorry if should be in different section. Don't know if legal money better but thought someone here may know.

Went to refuge nearly year ago. Don't know if have any strength left to try again. It took everything to go but ended up back home. Was meant to be temporarily but the support I was meant to have back at home never helped me. Things getting risky again. I think I need to try again to leave.

I got double housing benefit when last in refuge so could come home when safe. I really want to try go home after refuge but this time with support to make it safer. Will I be allowed to claim double housing benefit again?

Sorry also if it's temporary housing and not refuge, can I still claim housing benefit instead of UC?

As far as I understand it now, Housing Benefit no longer exists for new claims, and it’s sorted out through the housing element of UC, plus maybe discretionary housing payments.

You’d be best asking on a benefits forum or via CAB, Shelter or a local welfare advice centre.

Unsure on the legalities but I think your safety is paramount in this situation .. things can always be resolved later ... please take care 💐

The criteria is:

“Eligibility

Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits. It’s being replaced by Universal Credit.

You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if either of the following apply:

you have reached State Pension age
you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing”

Not sure if that would apply, but I expect Women's Aid would know the new rules, so you could ask them.

But, as PP said, your safety is paramount - other things can be sorted out later.

I got double housing benefit when last in refuge so could come home when safe. I really want to try go home after refuge but this time with support to make it safer.

What is at home that makes it not safe? What is making you run to a refuge? Supper won't change that thing. Housing benefit to return home shouldn't even be in your radar at this point. Get out. Get safe. Build a new life. Please don't flee an unsafe home life with a view to return. It didn't work last time and it won't work this time. Get the help you need to stay away.

If the refuge is in the same local authority it wont be a new claim for Universal Credit it will be a change of circumstances so will still be housing benefit.

However I agree with @covidcloser why do you want to go back home and what level of support would enable you to do this? Double housing benefit is there to help you flee violence and be safe not a stop gap.

A change of address is a change of circumstances rather than a new claim so if you currently receive housing benefit in the old format you would continue to do so.
Speak to your HB office about whether you can get it for 2 properties simultaneously again. It depends whether they were paying under the regs or if they gave you a discretionary housing payment.

@MartyHart how would this work if the refuge was in a different local authority area though as a new claim would usually need to be made if you moved into a new LA?

I think moving areas it's a brand new claim which would move the person to UC but I would check that with CAB or HB office. COA within same LA was treated as Change of Circs under legacy HB. At least in my LA. Most people have already moved to UC now.
I'm not clear if OP is on Legacy HB or on UC.

Potentially HB claim at usual address could remain.

A refuge is classed as Temporary accommodation and therefore is in the exempt category, so it has to be HB through the LA.

If you intend to return to your current property, then HB can be payable for up to 12months. If you move, then it would be. UC claim for housing costs. This applies even if you stay within the same LA.