Claiming benefits all, working PT, looking for a new home -homeless

LMT
LMT Online Community Member Posts: 15 Listener
in Start here and say hello!
Hello everyone, 
I am in part-time employment, I have been lucky to claim and receive UC and housing benefits. I will be applying for PIP. I have several challenges and in now homeless -classes as hidden homeless. 
I have many questions: 
First, it's been so hard to find a new home in Bristol, single, no children, I approaching 52 (wow doesn't feel real) while at on covid and lockdown, I was studying an MBA, living with my fur baby, only own with MH and diagnose ADHD. My financial mess is all because of lockdown &my status as a full-time student (uni cutting and not willing to offer financial help -have an appeal and all the support regarding finance stuff).
Because of this, I can not rent a new flat, due to my new status. Unfortunately, I have experienced three bereavements in the last two and my fur baby of 16 years maybe next.
I may have an opportunity again private landlord, will expect all benefits, and of course the cat (however long). 

The rent is so reasonable. 
Issue Bristol council HB current, 
Somerset council. 
I have lived in Bristol for 20 years this year 21. 
I know my doctors would help with supporting me as an advocate. But, I can not get a can't or room. The council will not help due to emergency housing because I was told I have a cat. I was informed that by the caseworker she wasn't sugar-coating fore, I had to get rid of him!!
Well, I  asked for her not to be my caseworker, but again, I was not heard. It's so traumatic. 

Please advise. 
Kind regards, 
LMT 
 

Comments

  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    edited March 2022
    I don’t understand the housing narrative either. You say you are in Bristol but then mention Somerset Council. Are you trying to move? You also say that you are on UC but also Housing Benefit. Unless you are in supported or temporary accommodation I would expect your housing help to be in UC and not through Housing Benefit. I’m not clear about your current housing situation.

    You could try asking Shelter for advice.
    https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help/local_services/bristol
  • LMT
    LMT Online Community Member Posts: 15 Listener
    Hello guys, sorry for the confusion. I will explain when I am on my laptop. I was hyper- hyper-focus. It will make sense later. Lol. Thank you for all kind advise 
  • LMT
    LMT Online Community Member Posts: 15 Listener
    • I was made homeless in the month
    • I have been claiming UC & HB
    • Bristol Council will NOT give me an emergency housing accommodation because I have a pet, a 16-year-old cat
    • My Cat is not a pet but my "Emotional Support"
    • BC informed me, I have to get rid of him if I would like support. The fact he is dying, and he is NOT ready to leave yet. BC doesn't seem to understand 
    • I have been subject to discrimination due to me receiving benefits, working part-time (I am aware of the law- regarding benefits and pets, doesn't matter)
    My Questions: I am dyslexic, if nothing makes sense let me know, any help would be great
    1. If I move away from Bristol City Council (residence for 21 years)
    2. An opportunity has presented itself;

      ......I am been offered by someone, Private Renting: A one-bed flat, with my cat (ES), whilst working part-time, and benefits are not a problem. The rent is so so reasonable..... But the property is in Sommerset Council? 

    3. What do I do? Help!!! 

    4. I am still able to travel to work, I work one day a week, and i would not want to leave because it is my own stable structured part of my life, and good for me, I am unable to work full-time. 
    5. I do not drive, therefore, public transport is 
    6. I have researched the details; All good... travelling from Somerset to Bristol 
    7. I will do anything that is legal to find a home, I am unable to copy any more,I have had enough
    Questions.....
    1. How does HB  work?
    2. Would it be removed; 
    3. If so, my wages would cover the rent, my living allowance from UC would be at the bare min. Food, bills etc 
    4. I am applying for PIP for all my challenges etc... 
    5. I could make it work by using the services of the food bank, I am a GF and have dairy issues
    6. Having no home and dealing with all the previous and current trauma, I am in a continued "psychological state" my fight or flight states are out of zinc
    Where I am now....
    1. Due to the cat, any money I had was used for Airbnb's to live in - if this upsets you apologise - you don't need lots of money to do this
    2. I have been willing to move to areas that I have never visited within Bristol, yes I know, I have lived most places around bristol
    3. I would like to feel safe, warm, Rock, furbaby is with me, able to travel to work and have to access my services 
    4. Studying is on hold - until I am better and have a home for this year
    5. I have to update UC with the above - how do I do this? what shall I do? 

    Hope this is clearer.... posting from Laptop is so much easier, I was so excited that I found you!!! 

  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    edited March 2022
    That's much clearer!

    If you move to rented accommodation in Somerset you will need to inform UC with prove of your tenancy. You report a change to your housing arrangements through your UC journal. You will then get help with your rent included in your UC. The amount of help you get is capped at your actual rent or the Local Housing Allowance. You can find the LHA amount here
    Search for Local Housing Allowance rates by postcode or local authority : DirectGov - LHA Rates (voa.gov.uk)
    If you are under 35 you are entitled to the shared room rate, if 35 or over you are entitled to the one bedroom rate.

    (Note, even if you move into rented accommodation in Bristol the same process would apply as Housing benefit is only available to people in temporary accommodation or supported accommodation.)

  • LMT
    LMT Online Community Member Posts: 15 Listener
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/profile/calcotti

    Hello, 
    Thank you ever so much, I will click on the link, and read it. 
    I am hoping from your message that I should be able to transfer to a different council??? I hope so as this would help me ever so much. 

  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    LMT said: I am hoping from your message that I should be able to transfer to a different council?
    If you are renting privately it makes no difference where you rent. Connection to the local area is only relevant if applying for social housing.
  • LMT
    LMT Online Community Member Posts: 15 Listener
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/profile/calcotti
    Hi,
     I am aware of the amounts I am able to receive, thank you for the link. I will pass this on to some friends of mine. 
    Plus, I am well over the age of 35, lol.....

    I am trying to work out if I am able to transfer councils? 

    I have lost two properties both with the Property Guardian, and the last property was a gem, in Redland, the heart of Bristol.
    Beautiful, bathroom on-suite and with a large living area......so much, that all and I mean all my ****, I mean belongings would fit. 

    Not allowed to rent because; 
    1. It is a commercial property and not a residence
    2. unable to claim benefits because of the above 
    3. therefore have to be working full-time 
     When I can or find a property that I can actually rent, I and up against further issues...... 

    Had anyone had this experience or knows what to do?

  • LMT
    LMT Online Community Member Posts: 15 Listener
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/profile/calcotti

    "connection to the area"... 

    What would that look like?

    I know the person who owns half of the property? 
    I also know a few people in the area of Sommerset
    But never lived there, 21 years in Bristol? 

    Help? - thank you for your time 
  • LMT
    LMT Online Community Member Posts: 15 Listener
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/profile/calcotti
    Just re-read your message.... 

    "If I am applying for social housing" ..... via housing by the council????

    I would be renting from a private landlord with a tenancy agreement etc 

    oh my goodness, so this could happen.....

  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    edited March 2022
    LMT said:"connection to the area"... What would that look like?
    As I said that is only relevant if you are applying for social housing and councils can make their own rules. It is not relevant for private rental. From a benefits point of view you can rent anywhere. Finding a landlord willing to accept you is a different issue, from your earlier post I thought you had managed to do that with this Somerset property.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    LMT said:

    Not allowed to rent because; 
    1. It is a commercial property and not a residence
    2. unable to claim benefits because of the above 
    3. therefore have to be working full-time 
     When I can or find a property that I can actually rent, I and up against further issues...... 

    Had anyone had this experience or knows what to do?


    Yes, you and many thousands of others. It's not easy to find a landlord that will accept someone claiming benefits. If you're lucky enough to find one then they may also ask for a guarantor, which again isn't possible for a lot of people.
  • LMT
    LMT Online Community Member Posts: 15 Listener
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/profile/poppy123456
    Great advice! 
    Due to the economic climate, everyone is facing. I decided that I would research how to find a Guarantor. There are companies that offer this service, after some, I am going to use Rent.Gauarantor.com
    If you are an overseas student, this is what is used for rent agreements 
    If you are hoping to rent, move out of your family home, and you have your first job, and your parents are able to be a guarantor for you, this is a service you can use
    If you are claiming any benefit - again - as above... 
    Yes, I am aware that I have to pay, but I can't ask anyone to help, its just not fair and it's my responsibility,
    I am will also confirm interest. 
    I have been trying to increase my risk, and doing everything I can to find a new home
    I need to mend, my credit- all because of covid.... like so many.... 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Can i ask why you post a link to a members profile before you comment?
  • LMT
    LMT Online Community Member Posts: 15 Listener
    I am new, not been 24 hours - how else do you reply to the person who has sent you a post?
  • LMT
    LMT Online Community Member Posts: 15 Listener
    So how do I know my response is connected to your question?? 
    any help would be great 

  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    To reply to someone you just put the @ before their user name si yours is @LMT

Categories