How to save up to move out

Labyrinth2000

Hi everyone, im 22 and have multiple disabilities including autism,adhd, chronic pain and fibromyalgia which make it impossible for me to work at the moment. I really want to move out as my mental health is massively impacted living at home with my parents. 

I just dont know how im meant to save up to move out as I would need to save for a deposit,rent, electricity and water bills aswell as WiFi and council tax and furniture.  I really dont know how im meant to save money for this as universal credit would limit my money even more as I have some savings for learning to drive

poppy123456

Are you living with parents at the moment? If so then saving should be a little easier than if you weren't living at home. How about finding someone to howshare with and then bills could be shared. It's not going to be easy living alone because of the rising cost of living.

poppy123456

Just to add further to this. If you move out and you're privately renting, if you're single under 35 then you'll be entitled to the shared rate of local housing allowance. (LHA) If you're receiving either daily living PIP or mid/high rate care DLA then you'll be entitled to the 1 bedroom rate of LHA. https://www.scope.org.uk/disability-energy-support/

You check the rates here for different areas by putting in the postcode you're thinking of living. https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

You can also apply for council tax reduction from your Local Authority.

Alex_Alumni

Hello there @Labyrinth2000 and welcome to the community Thank you for joining and posting your query this morning.

It can be difficult living at home with parents when we would benefit from being more independent, both in terms of mental and also physical health. Can I ask what support you're getting for your mental health at the moment? Have you spoken to your GP about how living at home is making you feel?

Have you spoken to your parents about wanting to move, and whether they have any advice for saving money? It can be very hard if you're already saving for one thing, as you say.

When living away from parents, things are usually much more affordable when you're able to share the cost of bills and expenses, perhaps in a house share, as Poppy has mentioned. Is that something you've considered before?

You've said you've got some savings for learning how to drive, that's positive to hear. Do you think that's something you would like to do before moving?

Let us know if we can help with anything further, and please feel free to have a look around the forum whenever you're ready. 

Alex

Labyrinth2000

Hi @Alex_Scope, I currently don't get much support for my mental health apart from antidepressants. I had tried cognitive behaviour therapy but it didn't help at all and made my mental health worse.

I had spoke to my parents about it but they said they can't think of anything as any money I do save up would take me over the threshold of universal credit where they would deduct more money for me as I have savings to drive.

I do have a friend that has a spare room and says I can rent it from him which I have been considering as I struggle sharing accommodation with people I don't know. 

I would prefer to learn to drive before moving out but I have fibromyalgia and it can be quite hard for me to have lessons as there are days when I can't get out of bed. I have tried to learn to drive before but had a bad experience as my instructor wasn't understanding of my autism and other disabilities, which does make me very anxious for when I do start to learn to drive again as ive been struggling to find instructors in my area that are disability friendly.

Alex_Alumni

Hi @Labyrinth2000 thanks for explaining that all for me It's good you have a friend you could rent with, especially as he's someone you know and trust. Have you talking anymore with them about what moving in would be like?

I can understand how frustrating it is factoring in finding an instructor who has an understanding of different disabilities and health conditions, but who can also help you to feel safe and confident behind the wheel. I'm so sorry to hear you had a bad experience.

When I learnt to drive I used BSM, through the Motability scheme. It wasn't completely perfect, as my instructor missed that I would be much better with hand controls as well as adapted pedals. But once this was sorted it wasn't too long before I passed.

There are instructors which offer disability friendly driving lessons, as well as adapted cars to learn in, including:

• The AA - Disabled Driving Lessons
• BSM - Disability and Driving Lessons

I hope these are helpful for you, and do ask if we can help with anything else.