Help with moving costs?

Careful_with_that_Axe

I am currently in temporary disabled-adapted LA accommodation and have been here 6 months. Looks like I may shortly be moving to a permanent home which will mean the 2nd lot of removal costs to cover in that short period of time.

First time round, I had a Crisis loan to help with the costs, but wonder what help might be available elsewhere for me in terms of grants/loans.

I am just in the process of being migrated from IB to ESA; first form received and returned, but no decision yet. I also receive DLA - HRM and LRC so overall, a very low income.

Concerned about getting another crisis loan (even if I was offered one) due to the affordability of paying it back.

Anyone have any info please?

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Hiya, CWTA - you might get a Community Care Grant this time - it's fairly exceptional pressures to have to move twice in that time, all because of your disability, so it's certainly worth a go.

Careful_with_that_Axe

Thanks Jo. If I can at least raise the money for the move itself, maybe I can look at the Grant once the situations with the ESA is a little clearer as the place has no carpets!
Once my head isn't buzzing quite so much, I'll pm you more details, but suffice to say I couldn't be happier. Looks like I'll be moving sometime between 7th/10th October. I am so excited and consider myself very, very lucky.
Jo
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skintandscared_2

Do you have any friends or family who live close and can help you if you hire a van? We have had to move at short notice thanks to our previous landlord selling up and literally had no funds available to do it and our friends were livesavers. We were VERY lucky having a friend with a van though.

Savvy_Sue

Would be worth checking with your Housing Officer to see whether they are aware of any additional help you can get.

Careful_with_that_Axe

Thanks for the suggestions. Nearest family are in 80s so gave up driving a while ago - that goodness! Am not really capable of shifting boxes/furniture myself (however much the will is there, the strength isn't). I do have one chap I've used for moving before who is wonderful and has a real calm manner about him; I may contact him and ask him if I can pay in installments starting now despite move being a couple of weeks away.

AsknAnswer2

You won't qualify for a Community Care Grant as you are not receiving a qualifying benefit. Crisis Loans are no longer given for moving expenses and again you are not in receipt of a qualifying benefit for a budgeting loan therefore there is nothing available from the Social Fund. If your ESA claim results in an income related award, then you will be receiving a qualifying benefit for a community care grant/budgeting loan.

formaldehyde_perfume

I'm sure if you've used the same man before then he would be willing to take instalments, especially if you start paying now as he can cover some of his costs with it. Another suggestion might be Care and Repair, they don't specifically help with moving but as you have no one in suitable physical condition around you to help you, they might be able to arrange something (or at least point you in the direction of somewhere that could). You could always ask social services if they know of any organisation that could help you. You could ask your local church if you could put up a notice asking for help, or if they knew anyone able and willing for a small donation to the church. Failing that, I suppose your only option is to ask your family for financial help and set up a payment plan with them.

I wish I didn't have this hospital stay starting monday else I would bring my visit forward and come and help you, two disabled people is better than one right? :P ... There is a slim chance I might be able to fly out next saturday/sunday if I can come back on the thursday. If it looks like you really need me I'll make it happen ok?

watsinaname

Try the local CAB. Some area's have voluntary workers that give an helping hand. If anyone has an answer it will be them. Local charities also , again the local CAB should have details of anything going.

Think i'm going to be in the same boat as you soon. It's a worry as to how you are going to get from A - B. Its not easy so wishing you well and well done on finding somewhere suitable to live.

Although my days of humping furniture about are long gone i would give you a hand if you lived local to me..... many hands make light work.

Best of luck.

millym

Speak to your Housing dept and Social Services, as they may be able to apply to various grant-giving trusts on your behalf, or point you to local charities who can assist. I had to borrow £1100 as a crisis loan when I had to move a few years ago, and don't know what we will do if and when we have to move again.

There are lots of kind and generous people out there willing to help, but finding them is the hard part. I wish there was a website that gathered this sort of info...

Careful_with_that_Axe

Thank you for your suggestions and good wishes. I'm not panicking yet but busy selling anything I can on ebay etc. If I can raise enough to cover just the removals costs at the moment, I would be happy. There's no substitute for a couple of strong able-bodied people and a large van!

FP, thanks for your offer to come down earlier; kind of you. I'm taking things steadily in packing and, so far so good. Boxes are even being labelled with description of contents and destination rooms! As I mentioned elsewhere, it's going to be best to put off your visit for a while (possibly til next year) as I won't have cooking facilities for a bit in the new place and, tbh, I just wouldn't be able to cope with a new house guest until I was straightened out at the new place, had all utilities in place, curtains etc. Thanks for the offer though as it's much appreciated. Hope the hossie stay goes well and is of benefit.

I'm gonna be cheeky and ask the foundation responsible for the build if they would give me carpets in return for a positive testimonial from the view of a disabled person living in one of their homes! They have done sensible things like make the stairs wide enough for a stair lift and enough width for a person as well iyswim. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Investigating HB crossover at the moment for both properties as that could make the move and cleaning the place I'm moving from easier. If I do come across any resources in my search that may be of use to people, I will post them here.

Whatsinaname, good luck to you too. I hope you manage to find an easy solution.