Have to sell house because of health

TOBRUK

I have a chronic illness and disability, live alone (almost housebound) and past few months my health has deteriorated. The stairs are a problem and don't have downstairs toilet. I live 100 miles from family.

I have put the house up for sale in order to buy a bungalow and move 'back home' to be near family who will be able to help me with care needs and will see everyday. My GP is supportive and feels this would be the best thing for me and she said she would support me in any way she can.

I have found a bungalow (back home) a new build which would suit my needs and is within 4 miles of my family - this is rare as it is a very rural area not many come on the market - especially at lower end price. If my condition deteriorates further the doorways etc are wide and would be fine for wheelchair use. If I manage to sell the house there will be no profit, the bungalow will cost a bit more than what I get for the house - properties there are more expensive.

I have a very small mortgage but discovered that it wasn't 'portable' and my lender doesn't do portable mortgages! I have however found a lender who will give me a mortgage (portable) as I have plenty of equity.

I am stressing about this already as I am on IB/IS and receive DLA. If I do manage to sell and move there will be so much to sort out and haven't a clue how it will affect my situation. My GP has said that she will help to make sure of any follow ups, changing consultants etc are done. She has told me to let her know if there is anything else she can do for me. She will write letters supporting the move to any department in DWP.

Has anyone been in this situation and have any advice?

johnwayne

Hi Tobruk

Sorry but I havent got any advice as to the situation you are in, & I am sure there will be someone along later who can help you.

It sounds as though you are doing the right thing, and although it is very stressfull I am sure that it will all be worth it in the end.

Good luck

TOBRUK

Thank you johnwayne, it's very scary but I don't have much choice. Although I have wonderful neighbours I don't know many in the area although having lived here for 14 years! I bought the house when I was working, wasn't familiar with the area and when I fell ill I couldn't get out to meet people. I go days when I don't see anyone although I do have one sister who lives about 40 miles away and she comes about once a week to help me. People in the village are extremely helpful, the chemist deliver my meds and even offer to do shopping for me.

Moving 'back home' to familiar surroundings and have the support I need around me would make a big difference. However the whole process if I get a buyer is going to be extremely difficult for me. I don't know things like what I do about notifying benefits etc when moving to a new area.

[Deleted User]

dla should be a simple matter of notifying them of change of address as its all done from blackpool anyway,as for IB/IS i would talk to the bdc that handles your claim now and ask what the proceedure is,hopefully it wont be too complicated,and tbh i`d be interested to know what they say as we might be in the same position next year if we can sell this house
John

lilac_lady

It's a big step for you but it will be for your benefit so take things one at a time. I hope you settle and have a better life. Don't forget to take your PC so that you can still communicate with us all here!

happymumto2

No advice. Just to say I think you are doing the right thing, it will be a bit of upheaval which will be worth it in the end x

TOBRUK

lilac_lady wrote: »

It's a big step for you but it will be for your benefit so take things one at a time. I hope you settle and have a better life. Don't forget to take your PC so that you can still communicate with us all here!

It is a big step lilac_lady (if I manage to sell the house - a viewing tomorrow!) but I will be moving home to very familiar surroundings, although some say it's never the same moving back. I will certainly take my PC and will keep in touch!

happymumto2 wrote: »

No advice. Just to say I think you are doing the right thing, it will be a bit of upheaval which will be worth it in the end x

Thank you happymumto2, it will be an upheaval but I will have help whenever I do move from family, and my brother has a lorry!!;)

woodbine wrote: »

dla should be a simple matter of notifying them of change of address as its all done from blackpool anyway,as for IB/IS i would talk to the bdc that handles your claim now and ask what the proceedure is,hopefully it wont be too complicated,and tbh i`d be interested to know what they say as we might be in the same position next year if we can sell this house
John

Sorry woodbine but what is bdc? I don't know whether to wait until I have a buyer before contacting the DWP with my intentions, I don't know how difficult it's going to be but I don't have a choice. I will let you know how they view the move and any complications I encounter. The first step is to sell!

longhotbath

Hi Tobruk, Glad to hear that you are moving to somewhere that will be easier for you to access - we will be doing that too, If I can get rid of the clutter!!

Can you ask at the gp's surgery for information on voluntary organisations that could help you with the paperwork to contact everyone that you need to when moving.
Are you moving within the primary care trust? Can the GP make all the medical referral letters for you?
I hope the viewing goes well and that your move goes smoothly.
Best wishes, LHB

TOBRUK

Thank you for that longhotbath. Have you looked in to moving yet?

I'm moving to a different care trust - a different county. At the moment I'm living about 8 miles from Cardiff (mid Glamorgan) but will (hopefully) be moving to West Wales to Ceredigion. However, my GP told me that she will make sure that any referrals etc are taken care of - she said she would help in any way she can and if I need any help with anything to let her know.

It's only the second viewing, the first one was about three weeks ago. I have noticed that when other houses here have gone on sale they have sold fairly quickly so we'll see. I'm afraid that if I get an offer that I can accept I'll start panicking! It's mixed feelings because I love the house and garden and it's a lovely area. The thing is I need to move to a bungalow and need to be near family.

The past few months have been quite traumatic - In short, since end of August when I was rushed into hospital for abdominal pain. In September I collapsed unconcious (for over 12 hours) and was found by my sister and police had to ram the door to get in, rushed to hospital under police escort and ended up in Intensive care. Family were called up as they didn't think I would make it, was unconscious for a week and in hospital for further 2 weeks. Then a cyst on the ovary was found went in for op for hysterectomy only to find it was a large tumour on bowel and was referred to another surgeon! Had major op a week before Christmas to remove the tumour. So all this has helped make a decision to move!

[Deleted User]

bdc=benefit delivery centre
their tele details should be on any benefit notifications you have had

jetta_wales

Sorry to hear that the house still hasn't sold but I do hope you get an offer from your next viewing. Many people with dissabilities have the mentality of not wanting to ask for help if there's any way they can avoid it and while it's good to have determination do be aware from the outset that however long you think packing will take you, it'll take twice that time, however much stuff you think you have, you'll probably have twice that much lol and there's going to be no avoiding the fact that it'll be an all hands on deck kind of situation.

Plan ahead (I kinda didn't and it was an absolute nightmare) try and get some family members to take a few days off and come help you so you're not trying to pack by yourself and then move with help just all on one day. But don't see it as a burden on them see it as an occasion as a sort homecoming and a family get together to bring you back home where you know you'll be happier.

I really do hope that you get to move soon and that it proves to be as life changing and happy for you as my move home was for me.