Moving House

bthorn

I am a pensioner and will soon be moving house from Hampshire to Somerset, within the next 6 months I hope.
I am only getting my retirement pension, company pension and DLA, I wondered if their is any help available for persons in my position who are not able to afford removal fees as I believe it can run into hundreds of pounds.
I also receive Disability Living Allowance and would not be able to do all the work myself as most of the time I am incapacitated.
Any help in finding something would be appriciated.
Barbara.

Savvy_Sue

Can I ask what sort of move this is? If at the arriving end you are moving into property owned by a social landlord (council or housing association) then it might be worth asking your new landlord.

The only other thing I can think of is applying to the Social Fund but I am sure that is means tested and I am not sure you would qualify.

Possibly more help on the Benefits Board?

Oh, and welcome!

bthorn

Hi Sue,
Many thanks for the helpful reply.
The move will be from council to council or housing association depending on circumstances.
I just thought I would start finding out things, I probably would'nt qualify for a lump sum from the Social Fund as I think you need to be on Income Support, the only thing I do get is Disability Living Allowance.
Many Thanks again.
Barbara.

Savvy_Sue

OK, if you're currently in council accommodation, then it would be worth asking your Housing Officer for advice. They may say 'no help at all' but at least you'll know. They'll also know for sure (or be able to check) about the Social Fund.

Then when you know where you're going, ask the Housing Officer of the property you're going to. You may get the same answer, or you may find that there is some help available. For example, I used to work for a Housing Association and we would give decorating grants in the form of vouchers to be spent on paint, wallpaper etc if there was particular need. I can't remember if there was help with actual removal costs, but even if there wasn't, the HO of the property you're going to may know of local sources of help.

bthorn

Hi Sue,
I have already got in touch with Southampton Council and they said either go down to Social Services or get in touch with Age Concern.
When the time gets a bit nearer I will do this.
Many Thanks for your helpful reply.
Barbara.

margaretclare

bthorn wrote: »

I am a pensioner and will soon be moving house from Hampshire to Somerset, within the next 6 months I hope.
I am only getting my retirement pension, company pension and DLA, I wondered if their is any help available for persons in my position who are not able to afford removal fees as I believe it can run into hundreds of pounds.
I also receive Disability Living Allowance and would not be able to do all the work myself as most of the time I am incapacitated.
Any help in finding something would be appriciated.
Barbara.

Hello Barbara

I have thought long and hard about whether I should get embroiled in another disagreement.

Your post struck a chord with me, not because I'm planning to move house but because we appear to be in a similar financial situation.

There are 2 of us here and you seem to be on your own. However, I get similar to you - SRP, annuities from former employment, and AA. And I consider myself to be pretty well-off. Not rich, but nowhere near being poor.

The only difference is, if I was left on my own I wouldn't be able to save, which I can now. If I was alone, yes, I'd want to move, the memories here would be just too painful. But I couldn't see myself asking for help with moving costs. Sure, you wouldn't expect to do all the packing of boxes etc - neither would I.

I am sorry, but I can't see why you can't afford to pay removal costs.

Margaret

bthorn

Hello Margaret,
I am a single person living on my own, and soon hopefully to move nearer my neice in Somerset she is my only relative.
The reason I need help for moving expences is the only money I have coming in are my two pensions, so money is tight I receive housing benefit etc. I am a long way from being well off.
If I was able to pay of course I would not be seeking help.
Best Regards,
Barbara.

missile

You might want to contact a.n.other voluntary agencies like WVRS. Whilst they may not give financial assistance they might be able to provide a willing helper or two to assist you.

margaretclare

bthorn wrote: »

Hello Margaret,
I am a single person living on my own, and soon hopefully to move nearer my neice in Somerset she is my only relative.
The reason I need help for moving expenses is the only money I have coming in are my two pensions, so money is tight I receive housing benefit etc. I am a long way from being well off.
If I was able to pay of course I would not be seeking help.
Best Regards,
Barbara.

I am sorry. You've explained a bit more fully now.

If you receive housing benefit, which is a means-tested benefit, you could qualify for help from the Social Fund. To find out about this go to the local JobCentrePlus. They deal with all these type of things now. Since the DSS offices all closed down, the work that they did was transferred to the JobCentresPlus.

Is it really a good idea to move house? Moving is an expensive business even if you're moving to the next village. Your niece lives in the next county - is this too far for you to visit her and for her to visit you?

Margaret

bthorn

Hello Margaret,
At the moment I live in a high rise maisonette in Southampton we moved here in 1984 and I looked after my mother until she passed away she had to have full time care by me towards the end.
When I go down to Carol in Wellington near Taunton it's lovely as she is only 3 years younger than me and we are almost like sisters.
They would like me to go and live near them so they can keep an eye on me and be at hand when needed, Carol's daughter only lives 5 miles from here mum.
It is exactly 99miles and takes me about 2.5 to 3 hours, Salisbury is the bottleneck.
When the time comes I will do as you say and get in touch with Social Services etc.
Many thanks for your help so far.
Barbara.