Homeless in 10 days refused RSL allocation

JazzaG

tomtontom wrote: »

This doesn't make sense. An IS claim indicates a claim for Carers Allowance, so at least one person in the household is in receipt of DLA/ PIP. If the OP is truly only receiving IS then they need a benefits check up. On the circumstances given their household income should be very healthy.

I dont know why you thought I was only getting income support. My husband gets carer's allowance which is approx the same rate as JSA. I get full rate mobility, which goes on a motability vehicle, and middle rate care allowance, which is the only income we get which is extra to a non-disabled family. I do not claim DLA or PIP for my youngest grandson (13 yrs old), who has night-time enuresis, I have been told that we would qualify for the care component of DLA, (daily quilt and bedding washing, not to mention the 2 washers and 3 dryers we have worn out over the years) but have not claimed for him because we keep getting told by healthcare professionals that the hormone that controls this could kick in "at any time". Knowing our luck it would probably kick in the day after I posted the claim.

JazzaG

sniggings wrote: »

Please reconsider spending £10,000 on doing the new place up.

You can outfit a new place for a lot less than that, maybe £2-3k.

If you can't work, you may never get such a big amount of money again.

I would rather shop around and get a few deals on sofas etc and have as much money set aside for those unexpected expenses.

Nothing worse than being on a limited budget and having no money for those extras that are sure to come up.

Thanks sniggings, but we have been living in that situation for the past 12 years. I do not believe in credit, and try to put away last weeks surplus when this weeks money goes in, but this usually goes on uniforms and new shoes in September and the lads birthdays and Christmas. I did my list using the argos catalogue. In fairness, I did not choose the cheapest priced items, but neither did I choose the more expensive. I am nothing if not a bargain hunter, but do not see the point of buying trash just because it is cheap. Value for money is my byword, not so cheap it falls apart, but never a brand name just for the name either. And it would be nice not to have someone else's cast-offs for a change.

HappyMJ

JazzaG wrote: »

they must know I will be back on their doorstep in the short term, so why have such a low threshold?

£16,000 isn't a low threshold but I do agree it hasn't changed for quite a long time.

bris

25k will get you a private let for what 3 years? There are people in need now who have nothing, why should you get a house when there are people who have nothing and would be truly homeless without help.

JazzaG

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Many low income workers won't be able to have a holiday and they certainly won't be able to spend £10k on furniture so it really wouldn't be fair for someone who gets a higher income than they do from benefits to be able to do so.

What is classed as a low-income worker nowadays? If a low income worker is on minimum wage, say £7 per hour, £280 per week, nearly £15,000 per year, if they had the same household as us, how does that make us have a higher income than them? They would get housing benefit, council tax credit and working tax credit, all which would bolster their income to way above income support. My husband did a benefits test with his employment advisor, the result was that we would be nearly £50 per week better off if he worked for 30 hours per week on minimum wage instead of claiming Carer's Allowance and Income Support. Disability benefits are not means tested, so would apply the same whether we were working or not. Apart from which, my issue is not about benefits, it is about homelessness, housing and disability rights.

JazzaG

bris wrote: »

25k will get you a private let for what 3 years? There are people in need now who have nothing, why should you get a house when there are people who have nothing and would be truly homeless without help.

Because I also have disability needs? Because the council says I have a priority homeless need? Because I look after children (who are not my own)? Because the council say I qualify for social housing under their rules? Because an RSL should not be able to undermine a Council's Statutory Homeless Duty to re-house, especially since the housing they are in charge of used to be council housing?

[Deleted User]

I wonder if it would be worth getting your local councillor or MP involved?

sniggings

JazzaG wrote: »

Thanks sniggings, but we have been living in that situation for the past 12 years. I do not believe in credit, and try to put away last weeks surplus when this weeks money goes in, but this usually goes on uniforms and new shoes in September and the lads birthdays and Christmas. I did my list using the argos catalogue. In fairness, I did not choose the cheapest priced items, but neither did I choose the more expensive. I am nothing if not a bargain hunter, but do not see the point of buying trash just because it is cheap. Value for money is my byword, not so cheap it falls apart, but never a brand name just for the name either. And it would be nice not to have someone else's cast-offs for a change.

You sound like me, decant quality at a bargain.

I'll trust you if you really say it will cost £10k, I just feel that sounds a lot, if you get a decent property, once you get a half decent carpet down, a sofa (check out ikea for that, around £400 for the Ektorp range) white goods and bedroom stuff, I'm not seeing £10k there.

Anyway, for your main concern my move would be going up the chain till you get listened to, if still no joy, then councillors, MP, papers.

It can be hard getting these people to listen, I'm trying to get my HA to follow their own rules and their first reaction is to put up a wall, you just need to keep banging on it, till you get someone that realises they should work for their wage, instead of using all their energy putting obstacles in the way of decent people, who are only asking for them to do the job they are paid for.

marksoton

JazzaG wrote: »

it is about homelessness, housing and disability rights.

But you sold your own home?????

JazzaG wrote: »

Because I look after children (who are not my own)?

Whilst laudable, why?

HappyMJ

JazzaG wrote: »

Because I also have disability needs? Because the council says I have a priority homeless need? Because I look after children (who are not my own)? Because the council say I qualify for social housing under their rules? Because an RSL should not be able to undermine a Council's Statutory Homeless Duty to re-house, especially since the housing they are in charge of used to be council housing?

You had a home that you voluntarily sold. You aren't considered statutory homeless despite someone in the council saying you may be so you've got to find a private rental and the sooner you do that the sooner you'll get a roof over your head. The RSL's have to prioritize housing and they will not allocate housing to someone with £25,000 in the bank. They do not have to follow the council's allocation policy.

If in 8 days you still haven't found a private rental the council will find you an expensive B&B that you can stay in temporarily which you will have to pay for and only once your money gets to less than £16,000 will the RSL give you a tenancy on one of their properties.