Grants/Bursaries/Loans to help with relocating

1940sGal

I've just had a call from Waterstones regarding the job i applied for last week. It all sounded very positive and they want me to go for an interview (next week hopefully, would have been this week if i hadn't had to go to a funeral in Glasgow).

Now it would be easy enough to get a room in a flat/house share but I was wondering if there was any sort of help available from the government in the form of a bursary or loan to help with the cost of relocating. I have some money but not a huge amount.

Or am I being really daft wanting to relocate when I don't have much money in the first place? When i applied my thinking was i'd move into a flat share as some don't require deposits and then 'sit it out' sort of thing until 1st payday on what money i do have. It all sounded plausible at first but now it might turn into reality i'm starting to worry.

I'm on JSA at the moment, btw. And I asked something similar to one of the guys at the job centre but he wasn't sure and told me to ask my advisor. Something i never did because i didn't think i'd be relocating.

BigAunty

Congratulations.

For those in housing need or on benefits, many councils operate a rent deposit guarantee scheme - see the criteria for applying. I doubt there is any help the moment you start earning.

However, many landlords don't accept housing benefit claimants, therefore your options/choices are much greater if you are in employment or perhaps can show a landlord that you are about to start a job.

In my experience, most properties require a deposit. Again, I think you cut down on your choice if you target just those, I would guess that many of those 'no deposit' places aren't the nicest.

Relocating to a job sounds a lot more positive than staying on the dole.

You could speak to your bank about an overdraft.

You could join a credit union which is designed for those on low income but you perhaps might not be eligible for a loan until you've been a member for a while. However, even so, if you join now you won't have this issue the next time you move properties or jobs.

1940sGal

BigAunty wrote: »

Congratulations.

For those in housing need or on benefits, many councils operate a rent deposit guarantee scheme - see the criteria for applying. I doubt there is any help the moment you start earning.

However, many landlords don't accept housing benefit claimants, therefore your options/choices are much greater if you are in employment or perhaps can show a landlord that you are about to start a job.

In my experience, most properties require a deposit. Again, I think you cut down on your choice if you target just those, I would guess that many of those 'no deposit' places aren't the nicest.

Relocating to a job sounds a lot more positive than staying on the dole.

You could speak to your bank about an overdraft.

You could join a credit union which is designed for those on low income but you perhaps might not be eligible for a loan until you've been a member for a while. However, even so, if you join now you won't have this issue the next time you move properties or jobs.

That's what made me apply for the job. I've done it before and I know they always prefer experience and i'd rather move away for work than stay on the dole here in the hope something will come up.

Looking at properties on RightMove and Findaproperty i've looked at some that make no mention of deposits and while they don't exactly look luxurious they certainly look livable and i know at the moment i can't afford much else. I'd be more than happy to move in to such a place and then upgrade at a later date.

Thanks for the info regarding the credit union, i've never heard of that before so will look in to it. And I'll pop in to my bank tomorrow to chat to someone and see what they say.

Thanks again

LadyMorticia

I don't have any advice for you but I just wanted to say Congratulations.

1940sGal

LadyMorticia wrote: »

I don't have any advice for you but I just wanted to say Congratulations.

Thank you

marybelle01

I recall telling you to go for it on the other thread on this - well done and I'll keep my fingers crossed.

On places to live - what about student shares? Lots of students around Oxford, and a fair few will have houses or flats that there are rooms available in. Just because you aren't a student doesn't mean you can't share with them. And there will be a fair few student accommodation agencies too - most university towns have them and few will refuse income regardless of whether you are a student or not.

Obviously the other possibility is a loan from family if anyone can help you out.

Dunroamin

marybelle01 wrote: »

I recall telling you to go for it on the other thread on this - well done and I'll keep my fingers crossed.

On places to live - what about student shares? Lots of students around Oxford, and a fair few will have houses or flats that there are rooms available in. Just because you aren't a student doesn't mean you can't share with them. And there will be a fair few student accommodation agencies too - most university towns have them and few will refuse income regardless of whether you are a student or not.

Obviously the other possibility is a loan from family if anyone can help you out.

Sharing with students when you're working makes things very complicated with council tax.

BigAunty

How long have you been unemployed? I don't know the exact rules but some claimants get a run on in certain benefits when they sign off, don't know the criteria for this, it its just lone parents signing off income support, for example.

I believe there are DWP loans that can help with payment in advance of rent - you might find more info on the Direct Gov website.

sleepless_saver

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Employedorlookingforwork/DG_10013908

Would any of these apply to you?

1940sGal

BigAunty wrote: »

How long have you been unemployed? I don't know the exact rules but some claimants get a run on in certain benefits when they sign off, don't know the criteria for this, it its just lone parents signing off income support, for example.

I believe there are DWP loans that can help with payment in advance of rent - you might find more info on the Direct Gov website.

Less than 2 months unemployed. Thanks for the heads up on the DWP loans, I'll have a gander round and see who I can contact.

1940sGal

sleepless_saver wrote: »

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Employedorlookingforwork/DG_10013908

Would any of these apply to you?

Hmm the Job Grant is the only one that would apply to me. Thanks for that!