Help with furniture for first home.

JamesHT_2

When we first presented as homeless we obviously had to talk to the homeless team in the council and then followed that up with quite a lot of help with the shelter organization. Would this be an example of the help with resettlement?

Also £1500 was an estimate from the citizens advice bureaus idea of looking through the Argos catalog and listing prices. Would I be more likely to be successful at getting a budgeting loan by applying for a lesser amount?

Cheers guys.

dseventy

JamesHT wrote: »

When we first presented as homeless we obviously had to talk to the homeless team in the council and then followed that up with quite a lot of help with the shelter organization. Would this be an example of the help with resettlement?

Also £1500 was an estimate from the citizens advice bureaus idea of looking through the Argos catalog and listing prices. Would I be more likely to be successful at getting a budgeting loan by applying for a lesser amount?

Cheers guys.

You seem to be focussing on the money side and not on the other advice given?

Have you looked on freecycle?

You seem after the advice that tells you whether to claim for a budgetting loan/CC grant......

Anyone else thinking along the same lines?

D70

Morlock

The maximum budgeting loan for a couple is £468. You may qualify for a community care grant, the only way to find out is to apply, perhaps ask someone experienced at the CAB to help you fill in the form.

JamesHT_2

I am after the advice on which to apply for but I am also taking into account the other advice given. I'm currently looking through freecycle as I type. Ha-ha.

I'm just trying to get that question out of the way first and foremost. Just to set the record straight though I am taking all other advice into consideration and even noting some of it down.

Cheers.

Morlock

A community care grant would be preferential to a loan in your circumstances, a loan would reduce your weekly JSA payments until the loan is paid back, and the JSA couple rate is not much to live on.

cockaleekee

JamesHT wrote: »

When we first presented as homeless we obviously had to talk to the homeless team in the council and then followed that up with quite a lot of help with the shelter organization. Would this be an example of the help with resettlement?

Also £1500 was an estimate from the citizens advice bureaus idea of looking through the Argos catalog and listing prices. Would I be more likely to be successful at getting a budgeting loan by applying for a lesser amount?

Cheers guys.

I have barely spent £1500 on furniture in the fifteen years I have owned a home! Follow the excellent advice given on this thread, there is very little you should need to buy.

mazza111

As morlock said, you won't know until you apply. They will sometimes take into account your recent homelessness. But it also depends how much money is left in the pot.

It would be wise to ask the council if there has been anything left in the property. My nephew has just got awarded a property where the previous tenant died, when he seen what was still left in the property he asked the council to leave them there. It means he's starting away with a cooker, fridge freezer, venetian blinds and wardrobes, that he won't need to buy right away. Some councils won't do this but some will, so it's worth while asking.

When the dd moved into her HA property, we managed to save the blinds and the flooring in one room, so it's worth while asking

I would also try some charities like Vincent De Paul, I know they help a lot of homeless people in this area.

missapril75

JamesHT wrote: »

When we first presented as homeless we obviously had to talk to the homeless team in the council and then followed that up with quite a lot of help with the shelter organization. Would this be an example of the help with resettlement?

Shelter are very good. It depends if they just gave you advice or support. If the latter, they'll be as good as any regarding your chances of a CCG.

Would I be more likely to be successful at getting a budgeting loan by applying for a lesser amount?

No. If you meet the qualifying conditions you'll get the maximum (depending on existing debts) unless you ask for less.

The more the benefit, the bigger the repayment, the bigger the loan. So to get the maximum for the two of you, your benefit needs to be as a couple before applying for the BL.

mother_noah

Our local area has a scheme to offer furniture and household items at very low cost to people on benefits . It is all used but in good condition The housing authority you will be renting from should have details if there is anything similar in your area . Try a wanted ad in local shops . Money will be tight when you move so try to keep any money on loans to nothing or the bare minimum . Good luck to you both in your new home

keigcf

Around here we also have a furniture place for people on benefits, also have a very good freecycle. I got rid of a very good double bed, new mirrors that were bought long ago with good intentions. Its not all rubbish