Advice req council flats

pocketstrings

thanks, prinzesseilein.

i just want to say, i read back over this thread recently looking for advice and was appalled by some posts. when i first posted i was very fragile, and so upset by some of them. i still am now, but now i am also angry. :mad:

how dare certain posters suggest that it is acceptable living conditions for someone in their late thirties, with an extremely severe, incurable disability/illness who will never work again and is housebound and often bedridden to sleep on a sofa for the rest of their life?

not to mention the fact i am over six foot tall and in our small house the soaf is a two seater which i could not even lie down on! not to mention the fact that, as i am often bedridden, if i were sleeping on the sofa, the rest of the house might have something to say about not ever being able to use their living room. which is incidentally the only room in the house that is not the bathroom or my mother's bedroom (it is one room that functions as sitting room/dining room/kitchen).

would that really be an acceptable way for someone to live??? for either me or my mother?

luckily, i actually have a bedroom (there are two in the house - my mother's and mine).

even then, is it really all someone who is so seriously disabled can hope for from life?

unbelievable.

i think the best to do is to pass over such ignorant prejudice. i hope others will contribute with sensible, practical, advice, rather than using the thread as the place to express their prejudices.

Errata

As your current accommodation no longer meets your needs, build a bundle of evidence supporting that to present to the Housing Dept.
The bundle should contain eg - an independant OT's report, letter from your GP, psychiatrist, consultant who is managing your diability, DLA award letters, letter from carer(s). Housing will then assess and award points.
You may be housed quite quickly, or it may take a considerable length of time, depends on where you live.
If you will need HB and CTB for a property, any savings you have will be taken into account.

letthemeatcake

I'm sorry that your living conditions are so difficult. You will need to make that clear to the council and why you have not applied before.

If you are not successful with applying to the council then could you move into a private property with support from benefits especially your friends property if it is suitable for your needs.

Why not move in and see how you cope? As long as your savings are not over £16000 (there is a grading system between £6000 and £16000) you would qualify for Housing benefit.I know you want a secure place of your own but you also want independence and a toilet you can get to asap.

good luck

Bailey101

I'm not too sure how awarding medical points happens with other councils, but when I worked for Aberdeen City Council it wouldn't have mattered if you had a roof over your head, it was the suitability that was assessed.

For example, you could have a serious heart condition and not be able to climb stairs. If you lived in a bungalow, with no steps or steep paths you'd get no points at all, because even though you're seriously ill, moving house wouldn't improve your quality of life. However if you lived in a 3rd floor flat with no lift and the only public transport was a long walk up a steep hill, you'd get points as the living conditions would be adversely affecting your health.

If you are living in a home where you can't easily access the facilities then you'd get points for this, and you may also get points if your living arrangements are causing mental health issues.

If it's mobility issues you have, as a lot of councils have supported housing which is aimed at people who don't need carers but require things like ramps or low down light switches - this would be a good option.

The best thing you could probably do is start writing down everything you can think of to do with your health etc, get drs notes to support your application and take all your paperwork to the council or housing association. They may be able to have someone sit down with you and discuss your options etc, but be aware that you may be automatically excluded from a lot of general housing due to access issues.

I hope you can get everything sorted soon.

xx

earthbound_misfit

You mention you are in your late thirties. This means you will be entitled to the one bedroom rate of Local Housing Allowance (Housing Benefit for private rentals). So it might be possible to find a private rented one bed flat.

You have nothing to lose by going on the social housing waiting list, or registering for 'choice based lettings' if that's how it's done in your area. Remember to update address with them if you do move, as in some areas you have to write to them every year to stay on the waiting list.

How long it takes to be offered a social property varies wildly between areas. I was once quoted a 20 year wait for a flat, despite having extra points for health reasons and being homeless! (In hostel). Then again where I live now you can get a flat within a few months if you're not fussy, and have some kind of need to move (eg. a rent shortfall).

pocketstrings

thank you all so far for your thoughtful, considered advice - i really appreciate it.

earthbound_misfit: i am so sorry you had that long waiting time quoted when you were housebound and with health issues. i am really glad you now have somewhere, hopefully not another hostel.

errata mentioned OT - errata, please could you tell me what this stands for, or anyone else who happens to know?

nannytone_2

OT = Occupational Therapist. you can contact one via social services

Errata

OT is an occupational therapist.
If you google the name of your town and independant occupational therapist you can contact one direct and won't have to ask Social Services for a referral, although you will have to pay the OT's fee for assessing you.

pocketstrings

letthemeatcake wrote: »

Why not move in and see how you cope? As long as your savings are not over £16000 (there is a grading system between £6000 and £16000) you would qualify for Housing benefit.I know you want a secure place of your own but you also want independence and a toilet you can get to asap.

good luck

Thanks, letthemeatcake, I really appreciate all the thoughtful advice everyone is giving.

Do you think I should give the friend's flat a go, then? For so long my situation here has been up in the air, and it was as a child too, actually, so my long-term aim is to have my own place (council flat) as I would finally have some security. But would it be wise to give living alone a go renting at the friend's fist? As a kind of half-way house? As you can tell I am totally confused about all this.

Kojak12

Pocketstrings, glad to see you got some good informed advice in the end. I am afraid there are quite a few people on these forums who hijack perfectly reasonable threads with their ranting opinions (most of the time not informed) and they can get quite personal and insulting. I wish there was a unhelpful vote as well as a helpful vote button on this site. Just ignore them and wait for the sensible people to post!

At the end of the day what you are entitled to and what is available depend on where you are so you need to get yourself in the system as soon as you can. The normal process is that your housing and care needs are assessed by a qualified social worker who will then be able to route you through the right benefits or care pathway - should they exist. Even if they can't provide you with your own housing they might be able to help with changes to the property or provide some additional care to take the pressure off you and your parent. They also might be able to talk you through some centers and schemes that will get you out of the house - helping with the transport as well.

If you are not sure where to start call your local citizens advice bureau.