Urgent help needed regarding housing benefit and possible homelessness

benefitbaby

111222 wrote: »

The council have an obligation to put you up if your homeless.

Unfortunately this is not strictly true. The council only have a duty to house if you are 'eligible for assistance' and in 'priority need' this is quite a specific criteria.

111222

6091833 wrote: »

Yes.



I actually didn't know this. I may as well ring on Monday to check on the progress of the claim but also to see what my options are if I am evicted. Would it be a hostel?

Yes, some kind of hostel or maybe even a B & B, stayed in a few, can't complain but nice to get your own place again.

benefitbaby wrote: »

Unfortunately this is not strictly true. The council only have a duty to house if you are 'eligible for assistance' and in 'priority need' this is quite a specific criteria.

No money and mental health issues, that is top priority.

Margaret54

hi sorry i don't have any advice or help I can give you, but I just read your post and wanted to say I hope you manage to get help, and take good care of yourself.

111222

Oh, and make sure you go to your doctors and get a note about your mental health, that will help you a lot.

benefitbaby

111222 wrote: »

No money and mental health issues, that is top priority.

I don't disagree with you however the OP will likely need to provide evidence that s/he is of priority need for the council to accept their duty to house. OP must also not leave the current property when the s21 notice expires or this could cause delay.

As I said previously Cl should seek specialist advice and representation from a specialist housing adviser at Shelter, this will be covered by legal aid.

kelpie35

Would you be able to find a house share. You would have your own room and I am sure you are still able to claim HB for that.

Good luck and try to keep your chin up.

6091833

Margaret54 wrote: »

hi sorry i don't have any advice or help I can give you, but I just read your post and wanted to say I hope you manage to get help, and take good care of yourself.

Thank you.

111222 wrote: »

Oh, and make sure you go to your doctors and get a note about your mental health, that will help you a lot.

I will, thanks.

benefitbaby wrote: »

I don't disagree with you however the OP will likely need to provide evidence that s/he is of priority need for the council to accept their duty to house.

Is proof of imminent homelessness not sufficient to get the ball rolling? Or do I actually have to become homeless before they'll consider housing me?

benefitbaby wrote: »

OP must also not leave the current property when the s21 notice expires or this could cause delay.

Can I just stay there without paying rent though? Legally?

I know I have to look after number one in this situation but the landlady has been very nice to me and has helped as much as she can, but at the end of the day she needs to pay her bills too and it seems unfair for me to refuse to leave which would cost her money.

benefitbaby wrote: »

As I said previously Cl should seek specialist advice and representation from a specialist housing adviser at Shelter, this will be covered by legal aid.

Yes I'll do that on Monday. Just thought I would ask for some advice on here to hopefully put my mind at ease.

At least now I know I have a few options and places I can get help from.

Thanks everybody, the help is really appreciated.

6091833

kelpie35 wrote: »

Would you be able to find a house share. You would have your own room and I am sure you are still able to claim HB for that.

Good luck and try to keep your chin up.

I have looked but not found anything yet and to be honest I don't really know the right places to look. A friend has just suggested looking on Gumtree so I'll give that a try.

Thanks.

pmlindyloo

I think you need to consider your current situation and how best to manage it.

First of all, are you job seeking or are you on ESA?


If you are unable to look for a job at the moment because of your illness then you need to find a short term solution to your housing problem.


Most councils have a housing shortage and single young men are not a high priority. Having said that your council may be one of those who have the facilities to help 'vulnerable young people (forgive the label)


Certainly your council/CAB should be able to give you, at the very least, a good idea of what is available.


If there is some form of suitable housing for you then it may be that you would be required to stay where you are until there is a court order to remove you. Rather unfortunate for you and your landlady who sounds nice, even though she has issued you with a Section 21.


Is there an alternative?


Would any family or friends help you out while you get better mentally?


I feel that your LL would be willing to release you from your tenancy agreement early so that she could find a new tenant quickly.


The level of rent is not sustainable so you really need to seriously consider what you can do in the short term and then hope for a better future.

Paul_01

111222 wrote: »

No money and mental health issues, that is top priority.

Unfortunately its highly unlikely that as a young, single person with no dependents that you will be classed in the top band of need. I'm not saying it's impossible, in fact I do know of one case where it has happened - but I know of plenty where it hasn't.

That particular legislation is very very difficult to be caught by if you're single with no dependents. The Council are likely to find all the reasons possible not to find a duty of care for you, rather than reasons they should - the main reason of course is cost.

Do contact Shelter though, they are excellent.

Also, make contact with your local council's 'homelessness' section - this is very different to the housing benefit people who I'm guessing are the ones who are adding the notes to the computer for you (not very helpful in your situation is it?).

The homelessness section will have some more constructive help and advice in order to prevent homelessness. This includes liasing with your landlord and potentially helping you with your application for the discretionary payments.

Ultimately though, you need to find somewhere cheaper. Again, the homelessness section of the council may be able to help with rent in advance and the deposit. It depends how forward thinking and flexible your particular council is. I do know of specific examples of this happening for people in similar situations to you recently.