Help With Moving Costs

scarletspy

Hi,

Currently I live in a 3 bed up and downstairs with my Nana. She suffers from arthritis, COPD and Aortic Stenosis. She's in the hospital at the moment and has just been told by the occupational therapist that she can no longer manage the stairs. Right now her bedroom and the bathroom are upstairs and the OT has said that unless we bring her bed downstairs she can't discharge her from hospital. As a result, she'll be sleeping in the living room from now on and getting home care in every day to give her a bed bath.

This obviously isn't ideal and won't work out in the long term so I've been looking for a new place to live which is all on the one level. I've put in a form to go on the list for council housing but that could take long enough so I'm also looking at private lets.

The main problem with moving is going to be the cost. In the past, if we've moved, we've had a while to think about it and prepare. We've had time to save for a deposit and first months rent. Right now, we don't have that kind of money. Like most people, we're living month to month and not being able to save very much. Is there any financial aid available to fund a deposit and a months rent for someone moving due to a disability?

I've looking into the rent deposit scheme to see if that could help but we're not being made homeless and without eviction papers, there's not much they can do for us.

We live in Scotland and we're currently in a private let and get housing benefit. Is there any help out there for this sort of thing?

Thanks

DomRavioli

Hi OP,

Your LA should be able to rehouse into suitable accommodation - that may be a flat or a bungalow; have you advised of medical conditions on the application?

There isn't much out there in terms of help for moving, although you may be best contacting social services to see if they can get the local authority (LA) to rehouse you sooner. You might also want to speak to the occupational therapist to see if they can put together a referral to the local authority housing which may bump her up the list or give her priority.

If you move into local authority housing, you don't usually need a deposit or first month's rent; they usually ask you for a week's rent up front (around £100ish) so it is a lot cheaper.

Sorry it isn't better news, but put pressure on the housing, social services, and get as many reports from them and any health practitioners as you can that say she has to move on medical grounds.

scarletspy

I've filled out the accessible housing form that comes with the application and detailed her medical condition and how it's being affected by where we live. It says on the form that she shouldn't include a report from the OT but I'll see them tomorrow when I'm up at the hospital to see what they can do. As for social services, I tried to get a hold on someone on Friday but the woman I need to speak to was out of the office so I'll be trying again first thing in the morning.

My main concern is that ground floor accommodation, especially bungalows, are like gold dust in our area. Once someone's got one they don't let it go so the waiting time can be really long.

Thanks for your help.

DomRavioli

Hi OP,

Have you tried housing associations as well as your local authority?

She wouldn't be guaranteed ground floor accommodation; she would be guaranteed level access accommodation - if a second floor flat has a lift, then it is accessible for those who have mobility issues, so it opens up a huge section of the market. It isn't ideal, but its better than your current situation and usually all on one level.

pmlindyloo

You need to go back to the council and apply for Discretionary Housing Payment to cover your extra costs.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/269539/housing-benefit-factsheet-3-discretionary-housing-payments.pdf

DomRavioli

Didn't think DHP paid for a bond and rent in advance? Must have been mistaken, apologies OP.

scarletspy

Our local authority housing and housing associations and all linked together so when you apply to one you apply to them all.

Thanks for the tip on the Discretionary Housing Payment. I'll definitely look into that.