Reality check: moving into my own flat.

atosareevil

Disability Living Allowance: £267/month
Employment and Support Allowance: £400/month
£667/month total

Housing benefit would be covered
Council tax would be covered
I would not pay for a TV license


Bills:
Gas and Electric. Est: £100/month
Water: £20/month
Broadband: £35/month
Food: £160/month
Contents insurance: £10/month
Total est: £325/month


That would leave £342/month to myself.

This is for a one bedroom flat in Stoke-on-Trent, West Midlands, for a single adult male. (Social housing)


Are my estimates realistic, any advice and help for an autistic man trying to obtain his own independence in the world by moving out.

PasturesNew

That's doable... loads of money. Figures look right to me. If I had my rent paid and £667/month I'd feel super rich and carefree.

Only things will be the stuff you need to buy ... sheets, plates, saucepans, can opener, microwave type of stuff.

paddedjohn

Thats £342 per month to yourself to spend on whatever you want because all your bills are paid for, are you really asking for advice or just bragging?

sheilds

paddedjohn wrote: »

Thats £342 per month to yourself to spend on whatever you want because all your bills are paid for, are you really asking for advice or just bragging?

For someone who is autistic and trying to be independent,why not give them a bit of encouragement instead of this?
The OP will still need to clothe themselves,pay for travel,haircuts and many other incidental items...they don't have a huge amount over to cover all this.

Go for it OP and good luck.
S.

atosareevil

paddedjohn wrote: »

Thats £342 per month to yourself to spend on whatever you want because all your bills are paid for, are you really asking for advice or just bragging?

Does it look like I'm bragging to you from my OP? Is it in anyway done jubilantly?

I don't think it is at all, and considering the nice poster above you replied positively to my advice request, I can only assume you're being a bigot.

I won't go into detail about what I have to deal with day to day, and how I cannot work due to my disability. I've said to many people like you before, I'd give up all the money in the world to have my brain impairment gone.

Why you feel the need to post in this thread, when the post only contains hatred and bigoted remarks from yourself. Your post has done nothing for this thread other than try to instigate problems and cause upset.

Do you think disabled people should be shot at birth, or locked away to rot with no enjoyment in life? Tell me again, how you enjoy your social evenings in the pub, because I can't do that, I have no enjoyment out of social connection with people. My days are merely spent enjoying what I can in life, what little I can and every corner I turn, there is some bigoted fool who wants to make a remark, or just add their 2cents worth.

To reiterate, I'd happily live on the streets and live in a lesser developed country just to be able to enjoy social interaction like everyone else, to feel human in that way. I just don't see the point in your post, which only causes upset. But it's ok, right... because I'm ungrateful and undeserving in society?

--
Sorry for the long post to anyone else, but I feel it has to be said. Ignorance is not an excuse in my opinion, and if you don't know a great deal about something, don't comment on it.

I'd love further input/advice, like the first poster to see if my budgeting is realistic? Thank you.

Arachne_2

I live in a 1 bed social housing flat, but live on about £100 less than you've stated in your OP, yes it's definitely doable - I have a very hungry cat to feed as well

As mentioned, you'll need to buy other bits and bobs that you need for your flat, but shop carefully and you'll do fine.

Best of luck

Dunroamin

sheilds wrote: »

For someone who is autistic and trying to be independent,why not give them a bit of encouragement instead of this?

S.

Doesn't sound very independent to me.

sheilds

Dunroamin wrote: »

Doesn't sound very independent to me.

Independence covers a lot more than finances.

atosareevil

Dunroamin wrote: »

Doesn't sound very independent to me.

You mistake independent living and care with financial independence.

Yes I will always rely on the government, yes I give nothing back and I'm a "leech" on society. I'm not a criminal, I wasn't asked to be born, I didn't ask for autism, I'm just living and aim to make the most of it, which is likely to be alone for the majority of my life, and I will die alone.

Lets not kid ourselves here with political correctness, I'd be better off dead in society than alive, I don't expect pity, I am very grateful that although I was born with a disability, I am glad I am able to enjoy life in my own way without harm.

The thing I don't get, is why people are so angst and feel the need to post which adds nothing but negativity to the thread?

paddedjohn wrote: »

Nope, ive read the thread again and it still looks like you are bragging. Sorry if that upsets you but the amounts you are talking about can only be dreamt of by some people.

No, what upsets me is how you think it is ok to try and berate someone like this who is just looking for advice. I'd appreciate if you didn't post anymore and I have reported your posts, because they're disruptive to the thread and add nothing to it other than bad attitude and trolling.

lessonlearned

I have a niece similar to you although she has Aspergers, quite severe. I know the two conditions are disparate but there are some similarities.

My niece has an appointed carer/assistant/whatever you want to call her, who helps my niece with some of the practicalities in living independently, ie shopping, budgeting, setting up utilities, dealing with red tape - that kind of thing. She lives in Scotland and I think this was arranged by Adult Social Services. However, I feel sure that England must provide the same kind of input.

Do you have anyone like that to help and guide you, even if it's a short term thing to help you get settled and sorted out.

Like you my niece is very intelligent and high functioning but again like you I fear she is destined to live alone. Do a couple of guinea pigs count......

She finds social engagement very difficult and cannot cope with "romantic liaisons". I doubt very much that she will ever find anyone to share her life with.

Please try to ignore the negative responses to your post. Do not let the ignorance of others to your condition upset you. As someone who is new to the idea of independent living your question was a perfectly valid one.

I think your figures stack up and you should be financially ok. However I would suggest that you try and get the kind of help that my niece is getting, even if it's just for a few weeks as a stepping stone until you are on your feet.

I wish you good luck and happiness in your new home and independent life.

sandsni

paddedjohn wrote: »

Thats £342 per month to yourself to spend on whatever you want because all your bills are paid for, are you really asking for advice or just bragging?

I don't think this was meant to be condescending, I think he was trying to be funny, in the sense that many people wouldn't have that much left over after bills were paid each month.