Additional Housing Costs

[Mumble]

One of the big things causing me difficulties and that led to the state I ended up in is being in totally inappropriate housing - both in terms of type and location. This is going to be one of the biggies to 'fix' but I'm finding it really difficult finding out about my options so would welcome some pointers.

 

The main trouble is that 'normal' housing for students / young adults isn't suitable - sharing is not going to work for me. I'm not sure what I need in terms of support - because a lot of the accommodation support issues I have are because I get no support rather than being actual accommodation support issues, if that makes sense.

 

However, anything suitable (I'm not talking luxuries, I'm talking what I need to function appropriately) pushes the costs out of my very limited budget. Does anyone know of any sort of support I can get on these grounds to help me financially in terms of accommodation or if there are any particular schemes to help people in my situation. Staying where I am is going to lead to the same problems re-occurring - which could have a devastating impact on me

[Guest Lya of the Nox]

would you be able to get a room in a house, that peeps maybe have understanding bout asd's?

not sure how u could accessed it if it exists , so probably not helped

sorry

[kinky j]

hi mumble,

 

i don't post on here very often cos i prefer to just lurk about but i wanted to post this link for you just in case it helps.

 

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBen...ome/DG_10034876

 

i hope there's something useful to you on there and if you need any of it explaining feel free to ask, i've been on benefits most of my life and am still for the next few years while i try n get my psychology degree thru OU so i know the system quite well (though thats not an entirely good thing, i swear if they did a degree in filling out benefit forms i'd pass with honours lol)

 

KJ

[Mumble]

would you be able to get a room in a house, that peeps maybe have understanding bout asd's?

not sure how u could accessed it if it exists , so probably not helped

sorry

Thanks Lya - that's one thing I'm looking into. Part of the problem is that I've had a couple of terrible shared housing experiences in the past (resulting in hospitalisation) because I didn't read the social cues properly and ended up in vulnerable positions (drug users and very volatile people - not nice) so I'm very very anxious about sharing even though I know most might not be like that, but I'm terrified of ending up in such a situation again and being taken advantage of

[Mumble]

i hope there's something useful to you on there and if you need any of it explaining feel free to ask, i've been on benefits most of my life and am still for the next few years while i try n get my psychology degree thru OU so i know the system quite well (though thats not an entirely good thing, i swear if they did a degree in filling out benefit forms i'd pass with honours lol)

Thanks I've always been resistant to benefits but I need help and if I'm entitled to something that might be part of that help then it's worth looking into. However, I know nothing about all this, so may be asking lots of silly questions, starting with - what does this mean:

 

You may be able to claim income-related benefits if you: ... have a disability, and qualify for the disability premium or severe disability premium

 

What's a disability premium?

 

Is there someone I could go and see (with support) who would be able to help me make sense of everything? I'm so exhausted at the moment, it's all going over my head and frustrating (and upsetting ) me.

[kinky j]

ask as many questions as you need, its nice to be useful for something

 

the disability premium is an increse in any benefits or income you recieve due to your diagnosis, for example: when my son was dx'd and we started recieving DLA my child tax credits and child benefit went up as well. i think that if you qualify for DLA it automatically entitles you to it.

 

the citizen's advice bureau can advise you on what you're entitled to, this link should take you straight to the page to find your local branch.

 

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/get...r-Anchor-search

 

your local jobcentre should give you advice too but, in my experience, they tend to be very reluctant to tell you unless you already know

 

are you recieving DLA at the minute? if not that would be the first one to apply for, my son's peadiatrician told me that the best bet is to answer the questions based on how you're affected when it's at its worst.

 

kj

[Karen A]

Hi Mumble.I was wondering too whether you recieve disability living allowance ? It is the first allowance that most people apply for.There should be a benefits advisor at college who can check whether you are getting everything you are entitled to.If not then CAB or a voluntary organisation specialising in benefits advice and housing may be helpful.

The forms are stressful to complete so it may be worth getting some help to complete them or waiting a few days until you are feeling a bit stronger.Karen.

[smiley]

Mumble - is there a support group near you?

Pm me with whereabouts you are, and i can try to find someone who is understanding and can help with benefits and getting the right support.

<'>

[pearl]

At our uni there's accom specifically for postgraduates, so more likely mature sensible peeps. I'm assuming theres nothing like that at your uni or you would have been told?

[Mumble]

I was wondering too whether you recieve disability living allowance ?

I'm not - both because I haven't had a need and don't know if I'm entitled. But from the reading I've done, it does seem to be a 'key' to other services and support which I need, so is worth now looking at carefully. Can someone give me an idiots' guide to eligibility?

 

At our uni there's accom specifically for postgraduates, so more likely mature sensible peeps. I'm assuming theres nothing like that at your uni or you would have been told?

Do I have the strength to go into the whole saga of the postgrad accommodation now? Nope. Let's just say, yes there is, yes it might be more suitable, no I wasn't told, no I'm not living there . . .

[Mumble]

OK, I'm afraid this is going to turn into questions - there's a lot I don't understand.

 

What do they mean by percentage disabled - surely you're either disabled or not? How can you be 80% disabled for instance?

 

The bit that applies to me is this:

You can get Disability Living Allowance for your care needs even if no one is actually giving you the care you need, even if you live alone.

but does this actually apply in practise?

[Karen A]

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1561&a=7788

This is the NAS information for adults on disability living allowance.NAS also have a benefits advice phone help line and will help you to complete the form.It would be worth getting some support and advice as you are then more likely to obtain everything you are entitled to.Karen.

[Mumble]

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1561&a=7788

This is the NAS information for adults on disability living allowance.NAS also have a benefits advice phone help line and will help you to complete the form.It would be worth getting some support and advice as you are then more likely to obtain everything you are entitled to.Karen.

Karen, thanks for that, it's really really useful.

[llisa32]

Hi all..- I have another q to add to Mumble's original one...does anyone know/think that having a social worker is beneficial when trying to get various benefits/support.

 

As a young adult with AS would it help to have one? - are they useful??

 

Thanks <'>

[Karen A]

Hi all..- I have another q to add to Mumble's original one...does anyone know/think that having a social worker is beneficial when trying to get various benefits/support.

 

As a young adult with AS would it help to have one? - are they useful??

 

Thanks <'>

 

I am not an expert but have a feeling that if the social worker was only needed to provide benefits advice...without there being other reasons for needing one..it would be much easier and quicker to get advice from a benefits advisor. Karen.

[TuX]

Hi all..- I have another q to add to Mumble's original one...does anyone know/think that having a social worker is beneficial when trying to get various benefits/support.

 

As a young adult with AS would it help to have one? - are they useful??

 

Thanks <'>

llisa32,

am adult but not AS and have a social worker under the learning disability team.

They help am in many ways,including going to all meetings am have,making sure all own specialists know what has been happening,making sure am do not have problems here,arranging specialists visits,goes to all the meetings am have including res. home meetings..

 

the way social services is,if the only need a person has for them is to do with benefits,they won't get a social worker because the criteria for getting one is stricter,the person has to have a high need to qualify in most places,because of funding.

There is also long waiting lists for social workers,unless have very high needs,or are going to be homeless etc.

 

Try the CAB or NAS for getting help with getting benefits instead.

 

But what do mean by support? what type? social workers definitely do help when it comes to getting support if meaning support in the community,cannot get it without unless pay for support privately-they do a assessment at the start to see if are suitable for the services,a lot of organisations won't take clients without social services referal.