Benefits/housing question..

[lauraw2693]

Hi just thought I would post this on here because I'm sure I'm not the only person in this position and could really do with some help/advice.

Basically I've been living in a shared house rented privately for the last year and a bit. I'm fed up of it and need my own space. Ideally I would like to rent a small one-bedroomed self-contained flat or even a studio flat I really don't mind, I just want something that is just mine! I'm not working at the moment so I'm on housing benefit, income support and DLA (only low care rate though).

I was basically wondering if anyone knows any good agency that helps with this kind of thing, I'm only 19 as well so looking into the normal Connexions and stuff but they're not really listening :doze: I want to move relatively quickly because I think I am getting significantly worse where I am living so I doubt council housing would be an option cuz that takes ages doesn't it?

Just wondering really about benefits as well like my DLA - I have a friend with pretty much similar problems to me, she's a bit closer to recovery if anything, and she's on the higher rate of DLA. I feel guilty thinking about it but don't see how our cases are different - do you think it's worth going back to them and asking them to reconsider my claim? Or do you think they will just say that I can't need much care if I want to go live on my own?

I don't know I'm just really confused and desperately trying to figure out a way I could afford to get my own place, I don't mind cutting down on the "luxuries" in life I'd be happy too but I'm still not sure I will be able to afford it without more help from somewhere?

Any help anyone could offer would really be appreciated right now :-) Thanks, Laura XxXx

[Le Almighty Kitten]

DLA is hard to get, to be quite honest. It's worth talking to the council, because they'd be the ones providing housing benefit/local housing allowance (which you'd be entitled to). They'd also be the ones to point you in the direction of local housing associations, which are generally quicker than council housing. Your options are private rental, council or housing association; unless of course you're wanting to look at sheltered housing (don't get that impression though) but in all of those, a council housing officer could provide you with alot of information.

[Lilmizrainbow]

I'd be careful asking them to review your DLA if I were you. I was off work sick, on incapacity benefit. Couldnt dress, wash/dry, get out of bed etc by myself and they refused to give me any despite appealing against the decision. I had a friend at the same time who had a brain injury was a lot more independent than me and she got the higher rate DLA. You try to point this out to them and they say that each case is looked at individually! Truth is that you could put the same claim in twice and each time get a different decision!
Council housing waiting lists are usually a few years long BUT you can get housing benefit on private rented accomodation dependent on income. Think you'd have to apply for housing benefit from the council before signing a lease.
Good luck!
Lil x

[lauraw2693]

Hey thanks both of you, I think you're probably right I'm scared to ask about DLA in fear of losing what I do get! Yeah the council would be a good place to start wouldn't it, just thought Citizens' Advice Bureau would probably be a good place cuz they're experts in benefits and housing aren't they? I might make an appointment to go have a chat with them as my first move.. Just so much to think about, I would get housing benefit because I have no income other than my benefits at the moment and I don't have much in the way of savings but it's hard looking for places without knowing roughly how much I'd get - now I'm living in a shared house and get £62.50 of my £80 rent paid by them but it would be different in a flat and in different areas of the city... I'm confused >.<
XxXx

[((deleted))]

The best thing is to pop into your local council office or look at their website-they often have a leaflet about LHA amounts