housing headache

Can someone please help me; I have for years been renting my brothers flat, unfortunately he had to leave where he was living and so moved into the flat (1 bed flat), this prompted the housing benefit to be cancelled. Neither of us can afford to move into private rental.

He now wants to sell the flat and move elsewhere; I contacted benefits to ask what my options are. Apparently upon registering my 'homeless' state, they will look into whether I could qualify for a 'deposit loan' although based on info they have its highly unlikely I've been told, also they will be questioning why my brother wishes to sell and why he would not be able to help me out. No chance of council housing (13 year wait).

Have also been told by benefits that any future housing benefit claim will need to be made via Universal Credit, this would mean automatic cancellation of ESA and DLA benefits whilst my UC claim is looked into; If this is correct I guess I'm to live on air.

Also they state I'm on wrong benefit anyway (ESA support group). Should be on UC although when looking into this I notice on gov. website there is a 'new style ESA benefit as well'.

I really could do with some help, my head is spinning from all this info, been to CAB but it turned out to completely wrong advise.

Can they force my brother to help house me elsewhere using monies from flat sale? Will I loose all my benefits if I do re-apply for housing benefit and have to claim UC? Also, as an option to all this my brother and I are looking into sharing a rented property, if we became joint tenants could I claim housing benefit for my share of the rent or would they again expect my brother to keep me? Due to health reasons he is now semi retired, living on what little the 0 hours contract work provides and a small amount from private pensions;

as well as my benefits I do get a small amount from working 2.5hrs per week, long term illness prevents any chance of increasing that, hence the alternative option of joint tenancy being considered.

Thanks for any help.

Hi Gary,
thanks for your help it has clarified a few things; in answer I receive ESA (IR) although letter states I am entitled to both IR and CB but the amount of 128.45 is based on IR. Have never received SDP.. DLA is care component lower rate. HB has completely stopped.so future claims will be under UC.

When applying for UC do they look at the other benefits and put them all into UC?

The reason why we are looking at joint tenancy is because my brother does not like the area we live in (it has changed hugely since he brought it eons ago) and doesn't feel safe living here by himself, amongst other reasons. Renting somewhere together is only one option, we could support each other, continue to share the car etc...

thank you for your help and pointing me in the right direction at this difficult time.