Moving - financial help

Savvy_Sue

Well, I would double check that with the right team. I am sure that in certain circumstances it IS possible to get dual HB, for a very limited period. And it certainly never USED to be the case that you would be liable for rent from the date on which you signed for the tenancy: the tenancy would start a short time ahead to give you a chance to plan the move, and apart from anything else to give you the chance to give notice on your current tenancy.

Not sure what notice periods apply, but the theory would be that you'd sign for your new tenancy and give notice on the old one at the same time, with the new tenancy starting the same day as the old one ended. Then you've move on that date, and would NOT be liable for two lots of rent.

In certain circumstances it was recognised that you couldn't move in and out the same day, reasons might include disability OR the fact that the new property was a bit of a wreck and you would HAVE to redecorate. That's when the dual HB kicked in.

Not automatic. Possibly much harder to get these days.

Do check out council website btw, information should be there.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I hate to be the little black rain cloud, but being in band 2 doesn't necessarily mean you'll get a reasonable offer within weeks. It could still be a rather long time.

However, when it does happen - the sooner the better, obviously - you should be able to apply for a social fund grant as it is an exceptional pressure, moving for medical reasons. But that wouldn't be until you get the date.

I received two weeks' HB for two properties when I moved. However, that was because the start/end date of the tenancies was a Bank Holiday Monday - and only after I made a formal complaint at their trying to charge me full rent for both properties on the grounds of not bothering to give back the keys at 9am Monday. You should be able to get your OT from social services to approve the property before you accept it, which would be a good time to get her to help arrange keeping both on for a period.

Mupette

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

I hate to be the little black rain cloud, but being in band 2 doesn't necessarily mean you'll get a reasonable offer within weeks. It could still be a rather long time.

However, when it does happen - the sooner the better, obviously - you should be able to apply for a social fund grant as it is an exceptional pressure, moving for medical reasons. But that wouldn't be until you get the date.

I received two weeks' HB for two properties when I moved. However, that was because the start/end date of the tenancies was a Bank Holiday Monday - and only after I made a formal complaint at their trying to charge me full rent for both properties on the grounds of not bothering to give back the keys at 9am Monday. You should be able to get your OT from social services to approve the property before you accept it, which would be a good time to get her to help arrange keeping both on for a period.

Thanks Jo

Well the bids have just finished for the 3 that i bid for, i was 4th on the list, which is a lot better than being 60 on the bid for a property.

But the area i am looking at is a huge prefab regeneration area, and i noticed more bungelows are going to be available in the next few weeks (ok so excited i am hoping one of them will be mine)

The letter from home choice states they would prefer me in a bungalow so that's what i am aiming for, had a look with DS and he was happy (half the battle was to convince him we really need to move for me)

DX2

Fingers and toes crossed for you Muppette, hopefully it will be sooner rather than later.

Mupette

DX2 wrote: »

Fingers and toes crossed for you Muppette, hopefully it will be sooner rather than later.

Thanks DX2

Well it will not be this week 12 properties in blocks of flats, in my case out of the frying pan into the fire, i know they should all be ground floor (doesn't say) but... i don't want to live above or below anyone anymore, i want a quiet life. Silly thing is i am top of the list for every single property, all of steps, leading down to the main door and steps up inside the building....then you get to the front door.

This week it's just panic time for french exchange student, is the flat ready/clean enough/ worry worry worry.

DarbyAllan

Hi Mupette,

I was in a similar position to yourself in that I need to move from my privately rented house to an adapted bungalow with ramps, wetroom etc as I coild no longer climb stairs etc and have been sleeping downstairs in a chair for the last year and couldn't get into the bath etc.

I only applied to the Housing Association just under four months ago and my Occupational Therapist, Social Worker, GP and my welfare workers from the British Legion and SSAFA all sent in supporting letters with my application and last week I was offered a fully adapted bungalow. We don't have the 'bidding' or band system round here yet, so my application was points based with the new extra priority for being a disabled serviceman (lost my left leg and right foot as well as other injuries in Iraq).so I went quite high up in the queue straight away.

The new bungalow has a warden call system and is great with ramps, wetroom, brand new adapted kitchen etc etc. It has been fully redecorated so all I need is new carpets, new curtains and a new cooker installing. The British Legion and my old regimental associastion are helping me with costs for these and the move itself.

Also on the housing benefit front, I downloaded a letter from the Shelter website about moving due to my disability and they are allowing a four week overlap of Local Housing Allowance on my current tenancy and 4 weeks Housing Benefit on the bungalow.

Anyway, I hope you are as lucky as I have been. I now just need to get moved once the carpets etc have been fitted in the bungalow next week.

Darby

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

DarbyAllan wrote: »

Also on the housing benefit front, I downloaded a letter from the Shelter website about moving due to my disability and they are allowing a four week overlap of Local Housing Allowance on my current tenancy and 4 weeks Housing Benefit on the bungalow.

That is a very useful comment, Darby, thank you for that - and good luck in your new home!

Mupette

Nice one Darby, i hope you are very comfortable in your new home, and get to sleep in a bed once more :j

10 min's and the bidding opens again, last week was a waste of time as they were all ground floor flats in blocks of flats, so it would still be communal walkways so no ramp would be allowed.

CharlA

I couldnt gt any help for my rent but i did get a community care grant to move into a more suitable property for my disabled daughter just gt a form fill it in its worth a try the worse they can say is no hope this helps

Mupette

A nice little update.

I won a bid yesterday, actually i was 5th in the bid, but it's me that won, i guess my needs were greater than the others.

A brand new build bungalow, away from the city centre (where i am now).

I did find out something useful for me to pass on.

If you are on housing/council tax benefit

If your current landlord is the same as your new landlord, but it must be local authority, ie mine is Bristol city council. to move i need to give 4 weeks notice, but new landlord wants me to move straight away, (same landlord) they do pay double housing benefit for a month.

But you must be getting housing benefit for this to happen.

So i am waiting now till 10.30 - 11.00 to ring to arrange viewing.
i have gone and looked at the property from the outside (as you do) but need to have the official visit and then say yes (unless major problem i will say yes, the place is new and perfect)

I've got a major headache i don't know if it's because of the dmd drugs i am on or just sheer excitement...

already rang the social fund helpline as i really need carpets in before i move in, and they do need to be new. if i fall over in there without carpets i am gonna do myself some injury. so forms are being sent out as we speak.

i need help boxing up and moving, OH said that it will be cheaper and have insurance to get someone in to do it for me, rather than get mates and a van.

help me out here what have i forgotten, i also need to start writing a list of who to contact, and royal mail for one for redirection