Catch 22, Housing Benefit

AnxiousMum

to be fair to the OP, the OP didn't say that it was so that they would have something to leave inheritance wise, they were suggesting that council benefit money would actually be saved - as if they could get a mortgage, and hb was to pay that (cheaper than the rent), it would be paid off in X number of years, but he could live beyond that another 20 years - so the council would less hb payments until mortgage paid off, and the 20 years of no hb payments as the house would be paid for. The OP has then gone on to say that they would have no problem with a charge on the house that all monies from sale of home on their death would be payable back to the council......you know - it kinda makes sense! Especially for a war vet

Tally-Ho_2

Hi again intranicity,

I just read your post regarding your housing situation.

I don't know if you are aware of the newish increased priority that both local authorities and Housing Associations must now give to injured servicemen/women and injured veterans applying for social housing particularly if adapted accomodation is required.

The new (I say new but they appeared roughly mid 2010) guidelines are contained in the Department for Communities and Local Government Crocular 04/2009

copy here:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/1200095.pdf

with a bit more info here:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/armedforcesallocations


I know you may be looking to buy, but in reality that can be difficult on benefits. The next best thing security of tenure wise is renting fron councils/housing associations - also the rents are usually cheaper than renting privately.

Although councils and local authorities are not keen on the circular as it in effect allows disabled former servicemen a higher priority when allocating housing, they do have to follow it. With my Veterans Welfare hat on I do know some Housing Associations say the document doesn't exist but we have had a lot of success getting particularly disabled veterans in decent adapted accomodation (chapter 8 of the circular refers).

The document is well worth a read by any disabled former servicemen/women.

Tally

blue_monkey_2

I came back to say the same thing, that disable people get more points - however, it is not just on points it is on need to.

Our son has a disability and when we was evicted due to landlord selling up it was impossible to find somewhere to rent and, although we did not have the most points, we was put forward as being a priority. We was desperate and was packed and ready to go into a hostel - they will threaten you with this to weedle out those who are in real need - however anyone can apply to councils and HA. I am not sure what area you live in but I would have a really good root around and find any at all. It turned out there was about 30 with houses in our area - some had closed lists and some just had 1 or 2 houses, but anything is worth a try.

If you find you are coming to the end of your tenancy and you cannot find anywhere else then you'll be classed as being homeless and should get priority. It is slow going but this could mean the next place you get is a secure one and you'll not have to worry about moving again.

I believe our council gives priority to ex-servicement as well. I find it abhorrent that drug addicts and people who have just come out of prison get housed straightaway and yet service personnel get no help at all.

intranicity

Well I contacted the Council and have applied to go on their housing list, just need to see what banding they put me on now, waiting list can be as long as 7 years for a 1 bed flat which is all I'll be likely to be entitled to, hopefully I should get a higher banding though?

Still, gives me time to save up for a bed settee as I'm not sleeping in the same bed as my 14yr old son when I have him, he snores for starters lol

Once again, thanks everyone for the help, support and advice, i'll let you know what happens

intranicity

viktory wrote: »

It should be borne in mind that home ownership can be a very risky option. If you do not pay your mortgage; for whatever reason; you could be homeless.

Just re-reading this thread.... I used to do Bomb Disposal, so the risk of home ownership I think I could handle (Just..... :rotfl:) and through pride and stupidity and not wanting to claim benefits and getting my War Pension sorted, I've already done the homeless bit. I also face homeless now if I don't pay my rent, so on that part I'm not really sure what your point is?

This site is great for finding things out and also giving advice, but there is an incredible amount of 'teaching people to suck eggs' going on, amazed at how many people post things without reading or take the 'mightier than though' attitude.....

THANKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT AND HELPFUL ADVISE :beer:

and to the others who are just bored and feel they, by being anonymous are can make comments about the rights and wrongs of others situations, well I'm glad I have a life..... hope you bever end up needing help :mad:

blue_monkey_2

Well, yes and no, you get your rent paid now so you would not lose your hom unless you spent it on something else. However, I saw what the poster was getting at - if you have no income and your boiler breaks - how do you fix it? If in rented the landlord fixes it, so even if you did own, would you be able to afford the things that needed doing. This is what that poster was saying.

Back to the council though. Once you get allocated your points you might find that there is something that you can apply for that others cannot - a bungalow for example - some of these were put up week after week after week as not everyone could apply for them. So if you cannot use stairs, make sure you get a doctors note to say you cannot use stairs. Chase up how many medical points they have given you because the council doctor allocates points.

If it helps, go and see your local MP, they usually have open surgeries and ours was REALLY useful in getting us every single point we was entitled to and following up where we was on the list.

We have been through the council thing not so long ago so if you need help then say. Do you need carers as they would need their own room and the rules for this are changing with a room being allocated. You also need to say that your son stays over, how long do you have him for, if it is 50/50 with your EW then he will get allocated a room as well. And don't just apply to the council,, hunt out all the Housing Associations possible, there are not many councils that have housing now, they have the list but you can also apply to the HA without going to the council. Good luck.

intranicity

I live in Wiltshire, still not totally sure how the system works, but I believe that all housing here is through a central agency, Homes 4 Wiltshire, it doesn't appear that there are any purely ex military housing schemes here, nearest is Bristol, Haig Homes, so will look into that to. The guy at the council thinks I will be on the Silver banding? as a minimum, i'll see what they say when I get a decision on my application.

Thankfully, I'm able to look after myself at present, and sadly I only have my son alternate weekends, so it's a 1 bed for me. On the positive side though, rents look MUCH cheaper and I would end up saving myself about £250 a month.

Mikazaru

You could also try applying to be on the list for Home Choice West, you could then bid on Somer properties, they have houses in parts of Wiltshire.

viktory

blue_monkey wrote: »

Well, yes and no, you get your rent paid now so you would not lose your hom unless you spent it on something else. However, I saw what the poster was getting at - if you have no income and your boiler breaks - how do you fix it? If in rented the landlord fixes it, so even if you did own, would you be able to afford the things that needed doing. This is what that poster was saying.

Thank you.

To be honest, having seen the OP's attitude, I don't think I'll bother any more.