Facing homelessness? What is the best way to go about this untill I land a job

John1ds

An unusual situation

I will have nowhere to live at the end of this month (from 15th I will be living at a friends on the sofa but I cant really stay there more then 2 weeks) . I dont currently have a job.

I am British, but due to the new rules regarding benifits I am unable to claim Job seekers allowance untill the middle of August (I was previously out of the country for more then 3 months as my Fiance is studying abroad and is not a British citizen.

What are my options if any with regards to staying getting somewhere to stay in this country? - I have about 1000 left in the bank, and access to 1000 on a credit card

Is it an option to find somewhere that accepts dds now and move in now paying a deposit etc with my 1000 and rent till the middle of august then apply for housing benifit for the same place straight away when I become eligable?

The other option I have is that I can go and stay with my fiance untill the middle of August - all my expenses, accomodation, food etc there are covered but it will cost 500 for return flights, and as I have been away less then 3 months would still be eligable for benifits then on return to UK inc housing benifit.

Obviously the best option is to find work, in which case I will be fine as I can afford to rent somwhere, and I am looking and applying to many each day but no luck yet and no guarentee that I would get somthing in time

alexjonsson

Where does your fiance live? If I were you I'd go and live with her and look for a job there - assuming it's somewhere in the EU.

Also, get the train. Much more interesting and it seems like you have the time.

John1ds

alexjonsson wrote: »

Where does your fiance live? If I were you I'd go and live with her and look for a job there - assuming it's somewhere in the EU.

Also, get the train. Much more interesting and it seems like you have the time.

Unfortunatly its not in the EU otherwise the train would be great

missapril75

John1ds wrote: »

I am British, but due to the new rules regarding benifits I am unable to claim Job seekers allowance untill the middle of August (I was previously out of the country for more then 3 months as my Fiance is studying abroad and is not a British citizen.

The other option I have is that I can go and stay with my fiance untill the middle of August - all my expenses, accomodation, food etc there are covered but it will cost 500 for return flights, and as I have been away less then 3 months would still be eligable for benifits then on return to UK inc housing benifit.

Although these are new rules you have fallen foul of,they are actually in addition to something that has existed since 1994 and it's about habitual residency - where you normally live.

The new rule appears to be catching people who really do normally reside in the UK but who went abroad for a period that previously (before the new rule) would not have been a problem.

I'm not sure how much the new rule has been tested by appeals, but the idea of having to be habitually resident under the existing rule is sill likely to apply.

If you go back abroad - even if for less than 3 months, they'll still have a record of being disallowed until August because you were previously abroad and if you spend a few weeks out of the country again, it may appear that you are not habitually residing in the UK using the rules already in place.

I'd contact a welfare rights worker or CAB about that before you make your decision.

Regardless, getting your own place in anticipation seems a good idea,

That stability might help in finding a job. Also reassures your partner if there's somewhere lined up.