Unemployment benefits and housing

[flubber]

Because of unemployment and the inability to pay my mortgage the home has been repossessed and I have 4 weeks to leave. I have a houseful of furniture that I have acquired during my 30 years as a home owner and nowhere for it to go - I am trying desperately to see if the local council can get me a flat. I asked at the job centre if I would have help with rent and they did not know!

Does anyone know where I can apply for help in rent payments as most flats that I see for rent are �80 per week and I only receive �48 weekly.

If I can get a job I can pay the rent, but I am disabled and the prospect of finding work is dim, but everywhere I ask if assistance is available is met with a "don't know" reply and I am not being given links where I can enquire for help/information.

[nickmo]

I hope the CAB can help - http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ should be one near you that you can visit and they are the most likely to offer the correct information about your legal and financial position.

Jobcentres won't necessarily know about the rent position so don't be put off by their response, and I'd suggest the housing officer at the council would be the point of contact for their assistance.

A few councils offer a rent assistance scheme that may be available to you, and with a disability involved they would I'm sure be able to look favourably on helping. I'm sure you will find that as soon as you speak to the right peson you will have a some weight lifted and can look to the future.

Apologies if the above are routes you have already taken but you will not be alone in the situation and there will be some other ABers I'm sure who can offer some guidance, so best wishes to you..

[THECORBYLOON]

You say you're getting �48 a week but I can't work out what benefit that is unless there deductions being made. If you receive Income Support or Income based Jobseekers Allowance (assuming yir disability doesn't prevent yir being available for work) you qualify for Housing Benefit. If you need rent in advance before getting a place the Social Fund may be able to help. They won't help wi money for a deposit so the Landlord needs to word the confirmation of what he/she needs carefully (if you get ma drift.) Are you getting all the benefits yir entitled to? Disabilty Living Allowance, Incapacity Benefit for example?

There is an organisation called D.I.A.L. Disability Information Advice Line whom should be able to advise

[flubber]

Actually I am seeing a person at the housing department this afternoon. I filled in the application form two months ago (just in case I needed it) and was told that as soon as I was entered on their list I would receive a card. Not received that yet. I have a financial advisor at CAB I have been working with for a year and I think I am eligible for renting somewhere but the payment of the rent is vague.

My disability is profound deafness and my Social Services rep (who has let me have a minicom) said to apply for disability living allowance but to be prepared not to get it as a person with one leg applying had been turned down. I have the form but have not completed it.

It's immediate help I need as I am not a dole scrounger or intend staying unemployed and having someone somewhere pay to house me.

Right now I have no funds to move, anywhere to store furniture or pay for it or anywhere to go to. Means I can see leaving the house contents in situ and sleeping in my car with my hearing dog............as the suggestion is the local council I'll report back after my visit. As it is suggested that they may be able to help me then I know what to ask about.

Oh to answer the other question - my unemployment benefit is subject to deduction for water rates that I owe.

[sandbach99]

Do you have a text phone, is that a minicom, if so try 0800 24 33 55 this is a benefit enquiry line, ask if you are getting all you are entitled to, also 0845 722 4433 is a text number for Disabled Living allowance fill the form in remenber you do have difficulty communicating with people, even if you lip-read you can not understand everyone, text messaging is not a way of communicating! face to face,
Did you have any help in court ie a hearing friend or solicitor? or have you just let the building society do what they want, after 30 years you wouldn't owe an awful amount,
Are you in contact with your local deaf society? I think you need help from someone who can make sure you understand all that is being said, the benefit agency will request a translator if you ask them, I'm sure the court would have done to, I realize you have an order to leave but would you rather stay? if so see a solicitor I feel sure this should be free, you may be able to get some more time to sort things out ie more benefit.

By now you will have found out that the local council pays rent rebates, you may be classed as a vunerable person and thus be entitled to a council property. Don' t let your pride stop you asking for help make sure you have someone with you to make sure you "hear" everything Good luck.

[Scarlett]

From what I remember, they will only give you a small amount TOWARDS your rent- not pay then rent. It is very hard to get a flat to yourself now, as that is seen as extravagant! So, how about looking for a house share? You could get a room in a shared house until you can get work. You could also contact your local councillor for advice- this is appalling the way you are being treated. Could you have got a lodger in to help with your mortgage payments?

Also, you can be really proactive in finding a job. These days having a disability is certainly not going to stop you finding work- in fact many government jobs seek to employ people with disabilities to be fair etc.

Go to your local council offices or their website (what is your local town council?) and say that despite your disability you are willing and able to work. They will surely take notice of this.

[Bordeaux]

Write to Mr Blair who has given a long speech on how great his nine years has been unfortunately he doesn't live in the real world, as others have said can't be left homeless and should get a job as can't use any disability to be turned down insist at jobcentre you want to go for interviews and willing to do any work and once in a job can look around for a better one

[WendyS]

Contact a journalist at your local paper and tell them of your plight. If the officials who are dragging their heels in helping you suddenly see your photo and a headline about your dilemma, it might encourage somebody to pull their finger out and come up with the immediate assistance you need. It might also just inspire some good hearted soul out there to offer you some temporary housing help or storage assistance.

[stanleyman]

Can I suggest you might want to sell some of your furniture etc. rather than leave it. If you try Ebay you can at least get some cash for it quickly and not have to worry about storing it. Good luck.

[flubber]

For those who have given helpful advice I can't thank you enough. For those that seem to feel I can easily get a job please appreciate that their may be other medical reasons why many jobs are impossible for me to do. I have not gone into this as it is not part of my question - but I am NOT a dole scrounger and it is very hard to accept I am unemployed and because of my disability and medical problems am not likely to find work. The punishment is at 55 yerars old I have lost everything.........please do not consider me work shy. My worries of four years have reached fruition and I have done all I can to allieviate this situation happening. As you say there are jobs to be had - my unemployment benefits office had a JCB driver, an HGV driver, a chef, a waitress (can't hear to do it) an IT technician "must have good phone manner" and a panel beater..............I rest my case! The local paper has few jobs and those either requre a good telephone manner or more manual that physically I cannot do until after an operation.

No I am not work shy and I would like to think that some of you before ever responding again to a post that you consider the poster may have medical problems which were not relevant to the main question of their post.

Those who have answered me with suggestions and so much help and advice I more than appreciate it and I thank each and every one of you.

[sandbach99]

Flubber, Have a word at the job centre to see if you should really be claiming Incapacity benefit if, only until you recover more, rather than unemployment benefit, make sure you have someone with you. Do fill in the disabled living form, if you find it to painful to cook a meal from scratch ie raw veg tell them, if you have difficulty carrying a pan with hot food tell them, you automatically change your lifestyle to suit your disability think how or what you should be able to do but can't, don't let pride stop you, You are entitled to these benefits you are not a scrounger.
Post again if you want more help, good luck in your claims