Claiming ESA Support and renting a flat

I've been on ESA Support since end of July after attending a stressful tribunal. I have mental health problems which are social anxiety and depression. I'm 37 years old and live with my parents still. I want to move out and rent a private flat to gain independence which means I would have to claim for housing benefit. My parents and I are concerned that I will lose my ESA support if I move out as the DWP might think I'm a lot better and able to cope ok on my own. The main problem why I can't work is because being around other people and socialising with them causes alot of anxiety and stress. I can get out and about on my own to shops cos I can control how long I'm in them and not allow the anxiety to build up much. I feel like I want to improve on my mh problems but I'm scared that my benefit will be stopped.

Hi,

Welcome to Benefits and Work

If your forum name is also your real name, you may wish to change it to maintain some anonymity.

This can be done quite easily by following the instructions on this FAQ :

My full name is showing, how can I stop it?

You would obviously have to inform The DWP ESA Benefits Office that deals with your ESA in writing, if you were to move to a new address :

Sending Documents to the DWP or ATOS

The only problems that I could possibly foresee would be if your living alone and any activities/actions necessary as a result of this were in direct contradiction to the limitations that qualified you for your ESA Support Group Award.

Even though a change of address is a Change in Circumstances which must be reported to The DWP, it would not normally trigger a re-assessment of a current ESA award.

As you may know any claim for HB or LHA must be made via your Local Authority/Council.

Please reply to this topic if you have any further queries.

bro58

Thanks for your help. I just have a few more questions.

I've been receiving counselling and I'm improving with getting out on my own to shops and going to appointments now. I would still have problems going to unfamiliar places on my own though.

For my ESA claim, at the time I scored 6 points for stating that I can't cope with minor unplanned change, 9 points for not being able to get about on my own to familiar places (which obviously is better now) and 6 points for struggling in social contact with someone unfamiliar to me. I also won the support component that working would worsen my problems. Only one part has changed which is getting out to familiar places. I still however have massive problems being around people and engaging with them and being able to work would cause my mental health conditions to worsen. I have a history of suicidal attempts and been on a lot of valium & zopiclone drugs in the past. I know what I can and can't cope with.

I feel now that I want to move into a flat and become independent but am worried the DWP will think I'm better and able to work which I'm not!!! Also the place I want to live at is 7 miles from my family home.

This is interesting Clo-Cat is in the same situation as me, I am in my 30's, in the support group, similar health issues, live at home, and want to finally move out but am afraid what may happen to my benefits. My parents have now retired and are entering their 70's, I feel awful for being "under their feet" day in day out. I also feel the need to have my own place, the older you get I guess the more you need this independence. I would probably need to live near by as I do need their help still, but close by should be ok.

I have always lived at home with my parents and have led a fairly sheltered live because of both that and my long term illness. I don't know the first thing about moving out, do I have to move first and then apply for the benefits, or do I apply first ? Will the landlord look down on me or refuse me because I am single and on ESA due to health issues ?

It is good to hear from Gordon and Bro58 that a change of address shouldn't trigger a re-assessment. This was a primary concern of mine. I guess I shouldn't worry too much as I have seen many benefit related TV shows and people seem to move about on a nearly monthly basis, and I am guessing nothing changes with them.

Any ideas of what information the housing benefit people need when applying ? Is it fast tracked (less forms) if you are already on a benefit, such as ESA ? Am I also right in thinking there are 2 types of housing benefit ?

Sorry to hijack this thread but what I ask may also help the OP and our situations are very similar.

Thanks !!