Opinions please

snookey

Hi we are in a similar position with regards to the disabilitys. Have you tried for a disabled facilities grant. We have just had one and have had a walk in wet room and stair lift fitted. It can take time for the grant to come through but its worth applying.
Phone up your council to get the occupational health to do an assessment. Your gp can also refer you.
Have a look to see if your council run a scheme where they buy back the house, also housing trusts in your area. Have a look at Anchor staying put. You should have one in your area, again council should have info. They can help with the disabled facilities grant and also minor repairs in the home.

chrissie52

Hi Jacksprat

A very difficult situation you find yourselves in, and an emotional one:(, but I would say if you like where you are, stay, and try and get some help with the things that need doing to the house. As other have said, I think you would have problems trying to get council housing again purely because you would have considerable funds and even getting on a council housing list these days seems to be rarer than hens teeth!

Last year, we had to go on debt management because we were getting behind with our secured debt and mortgage ect... then we were struggling to make the payments. (They have just reassessed us and lowered our payment by a third, which should help.)

How are you doing with the DM situation, can you cope with this without selling your property?

large close knit family that all live around us. Which is great most of the time, but it can be tiring when O/H isn't well and they're in and out all day, making a mess.

the whole house needs re-decorating. All the little things like the fencing needing fixing, windows needing re - glazing ect... are piling up into a mountain. Not to mention keeping up with the largish gardens.

Get the family involved in the upkeep (it's payback time if you know what I mean;)) then at least they are making a legitimate mess!:D

Are you getting all the benefits you are entitled to?

Can the place be adapted to make things easier?

Try looking on AgeUk's website or calling them they are very helpful (and no you don't have to be in your dotage to use them, they deal with anyone over fifty!:rotfl:)

What ever you decide, I think you will have to use a combination of head AND heart, it's important with all the other considerations, your wife's illnesses in particular ( I know what stress does to lupus sufferers) that you are HAPPY where you are.
Sending you lots of good wishes whatever you decide.

snookey

I know there are lots of cutbacks regarding councils but some do still have emergency repair loans . I know our council did and it was up to five thousend pounds. May be worth looking at.
Sorry Iv just seen your debt not sure if it would be wise taking on another one.

snookey

Just to add have you tried the social fund for help from the dwp. Also look at carers uk for information.

CH27

Try applying to the Council & local Housing Associsations for Sheltered Housing.
With your wife's disabilities you may be quite high on the list.

Has an Occupational Therapist assesses your home to see if they can provide any equipment to help your wife?

jacksprat2

Hells bells, just answered each one of your posts and lost the lot!!!:rotfl:
Chrissy, thanks for your good wishes. Well 3 of our 8 creditors have got back today to say they accept the lower payments:j We'll be paying £95 PM less starting this month. We haven't had a chance yet to see the benefit but it is bound to make a huge difference to us. We've struggled to pay them for almost a year not knowing we could have told them we were finding it hard finding the money before.
The lads will decorate for us, no problem. We just haven't had the money to buy the stuff. I will check ageuk later on, it's OH birthday today:rotfl:so I'll do it tommorow.
CH27
Hi, she doesn't consider herself to be that ill - yet. But, she would consider it if came to it in the future.
Snookey. We had to get a council grant for our roof last year, the whole thing had to be redone and some hand rails/ safety fencing were fitted for £5000. Thankfully, we pay it back when we can or when we sell.
Last Nov, our boiler packed up. It wasn't insured so we had to use electric heaters until a family member loaned us the money for a new one fitting. Our electric bill was £344.00, we nearly fainted so, we now have to pay them monthly installments to cover the debt and this years bills. It never rains but it pours. :)I'll check out Careruk too.
It's so nice to be able to let off steam without feeling your burdening people or feeling ashamed for being fools. You've all been great and given us plenty to look into. I already don't feel so under pressure now. Thank you all so much.

CH27

Jack, there is always somebody here to listen to you.
I hope you get yourselves sorted with everything.