Housing benefit help.

A question about : Housing benefit help.

I'm a student and currently on PIP. I also get NI credits for ESA as it was deemed I earned too much to be awarded any payment. I don't work, have a disability and live in London.

I wanted to know if anyone had experience with claiming housing benefit as a student in London. the cost of housing here is so steep and I'm REALLY struggling to maintain my health and live here. I can't leave as I am in university here as well as therapy.

I get full student finance and student grant which equates to Ј12,000 a year.

I don;t know what information is relevant but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Best answers:

• What kind of help do you need Animosity?
  There is a lot of info out there in the world for LHA and this may help? If you can specify what you need help on, we may be able to assist?
  I just googled and found this...
  9. Disabled students and housing benefit
  Most students on full-time courses are excluded from housing benefit until their course ends. However, you can get housing benefit as a disabled student in a number of circumstances, including if you:
  get income-related employment and support allowance (ESA), income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance as a full-time student;
  have or are treated as having a limited capability for work under ESA rules for a continuous period of 28 weeks (two or more periods of limited capability can be added together if they are no more than 12 weeks apart);
  qualify for a disability premium or severe disability premium, or you have been incapable of work for 28 weeks; or
  you qualify for a disabled students' allowance because of deafness.
  You can get housing benefit temporarily while waiting to return to your course after an agreed break because you were ill or had to care for someone. You can get housing benefit once you have recovered or your caring responsibilities have ended until either the date you return to your course or the date your education establishment has agreed you can return to your course, whichever is earlier, but only for a maximum period of one year and providing you are not eligible for a student loan or grant during this time.
  Disability Rights UK Student Helpline
  For further information on the above and the support that is available for disabled students, please contact the Disabled Students Helpline:
  Tel: 0800 328 5050
  Tues 11.30am-1.30pm & Thurs 1.30pm-3.30pm
  Email: students@disabilityrightsuk.org
  The helpline provides free information and advice to disabled students in England, their parents, carers and key advisers about opportunities in post-16 education and training. This includes further and higher education and apprenticeships. We also provide general information on the Equality Act as it applies to education and give advice on UK students' entitlement to welfare benefits.
  We produce a range of factsheets covering these subjects and frequently asked questions which you can access through the education and skills section of our website at www.disabilityrightsuk.org.