21, UK. I'm moving out from my abusive parent's house in a week. I studied at uni at the city I'm moving to for 3 years and have been back home with the family for 6 weeks waiting for my lease at this new place to start. I want to apply for housing benefit to help cover rent as I'm disabled and earn like £60 a week max., but the city I'm moving to has a stipulation of having lived in the area continuously for at least 8 months before you can claim housing benefit. If I lie and say I've been couchsurfing in the city (I have friends willing to back this lie up for me and say I've stayed with them), how deep will the council delve to check it's true? How likely am I to get away with it? I'm physically disabled, seriously mentally ill, facing LGBT violence at home as well as more general abuse and also need to be in this city to access the healthcare I need but when I asked at the City Hall they said I still won't get shit unless I've been living there continuously for at least 8 months. What do?
Alternatively, if anyone knows any computer-based work-at-home jobs, even that earn just a tiny amount like £30 a week or whatever, please link. I'm good at writing and transcribing and that sort of thing but have no specialist experience or qualifications.
At the moment I have enough savings to last me 6 months, so the landlord is willing to take me, but if I'm not getting enough per week through whatever means I can after that I'll have to move back in with my family and will probably kill myself.
You're going to need to show something concrete. You say you're disabled so you're probably receiving DLA or visit your doctor fairly regular?
What address does your doctor have? What address does DWP have?
Are you on the electroal roll at a friends house? Bank statements delivered there? Driving licence registered there? You're going to need to show something official that shows you've been living in the area for said 8 months.
>>17387468
I don't think couch-surfing counts as residence.
Such is the British welfare system that you actually have a better chance if you arrive on target city's doorstep with no place to live. Then there's at least a chance they'll put you in a hostel or b&b for a while.
>>17387478
The DWP has a care-of address in the city I'm moving to. GP is registered there too. But nothing that would look like proof I've been living there for the past month.
Is there really that low a tolerance on the local connection stipulation that having been out of the city with no fixed address for 6 weeks would strike me out of the running for now?