Hi, my name is katieNew! Can I get any help with moving?

katieNew

Hello all,

Can you please advise me?

I've recently become quite disabled.  I can no longer work and so I'll get early retirement due to ill health. 

I am 60 and a house owner but I can no longer  manage the stairs inside and outside my property.

Is there any help I can get to move?

I can no longer manage housework either.

I am not wealthy just on an occupational pension and full PIP.

Any advice would be very welcome, I don't know what rights I have.

Many thanks

Alex_Scope

Hello there @katieNew and welcome to the community, I hope it can be a welcoming and supportive place for you.

Thanks for sharing a bit about yourself and your situation, it's not always easy to do that, but please know you're not alone and we are here to support you if you need.

Can you tell me if you've ever had a needs assessment? You can self refer for one, as the NHS website explains.

You might also like to look into Disabled Facilities Grants, depending on your income and savings, you could get a grant from your council if you’re disabled and need to make changes to your home.

How are you feeling about early retirement? It can be difficult to come to terms with, so make sure to prioritise your mental health, and speak to your GP if you've got any concerns about the impact this is having day to day.

The community here is a great place to talk about how you're feeling, as many members have similar experiences. Scope has advice on looking after your wellbeing if you need extra support as well.

Let us know if there's anything else we can help with, and keep us updated with how things are going

Alex

katieNew

Hi Alex

Our council only gives the grants to those on benefits, I checked.

How would a needs assessment help me? I'll have to pay anyway. I'm above the benefit threshold.

Would I be entitled to social housing, my house can't be modelled modified?

Thanks I don't know where to look and I am a social care professional!

poppy123456

A needs assessment will help with recommendations for moving house, if they think that is what’s needed. 

As you own your own home have you thought about putting your house up for sale and buying something more suitable for your needs? 

Alex_Scope

Hello @katieNew

Our council only gives the grants to those on benefits, I checked.

I wonder, does this not include PIP, as you've mentioned you're on "full PIP"?


A needs assessment can help with supporting you with care needs day to day, as explained here:

You'll need to have this assessment before the council can recommend a service such as:

• equipment like a walking frame or personal alarm
• changes to your home such as a walk-in shower
• practical help from a paid carer
• day care for your child if either you or they are disabled
• access to day centres and lunch clubs
• moving to a care home

The needs assessment is free and anyone can ask for one.

As for social housing, you would need to apply through your local authority, you can search on the Gov.uk website. 

If it's of interest, Scope also has advice on applying for accessible housing.

Do let us know if we can help any further, and we'll see what we can do to help.

katieNew

Hi, I'm not sure I would get enough and I've still got a mortgage.

Thanks for the advice, I will contact the OT

Alex_Scope

That's okay @katieNew we are here if you need any help  

Keep us updated with how things go for you, as I'm sure you're not the first or the last person to experience this here on the community.

janer1967

When this happened to me I had to sell my house and show there was no profit from the sale to then be able to get a priority banding for social housing 

Most councils won't let you go on the housing list when you own your own house 

I had a needs assessment which detailed my house was no longer suitable for my disability which then got me accepted onto social housing waiting list 

It took over a year to get suitable accessible housing finally had to get put on potential homeless list as my house was sold so had nowhere to go buf lickilg got a bungalow 2 weeks b4 deadline on my house sale 

katieNew

You must have been really stressed (understatement)

janer1967

True if was awful 

I would recommend you still get a needs assessment As they can influence your application for social housing 

Have you considered a stair lift they may also have other suggestions for you