Housing benefits in the U.K? please answer if you know?

Question

24 y/o female with severe depression (and has history of self harm and eating disorder) who is considerd homeless, with a GP letter, what is she intiteled to? and what would happen if she has a pet cat

thanks for taking the time

Answer 1

You have to be signed off by your doctor and then you can apply for income support/incapacity benefit. This will lead to an assessment done by a doctor to see whether you're entitled. If you're seen as unable to work, it will entitle you to housing benefit that'll cover you for a house share/studio or 1 bed flat. It takes a long time to sort out, and you have to convince a lot of people that you're entitled. If you get stuck go to the job centre and ask, or better than that the CAB.

goodluck

Answer 2

As a single person she will not be considered priority for housing (this is reserved for parents and pregnant women) but her mental health problems may actually go in her favour here, if a letter can be written by her doctor/case worker explaining that she is vulnerable and in need of accommodation.  They could also mention the fact that she needs accommodation where she can keep her cat as her cat is more than just a pet for her.

Generally a single woman wouldn't get emergency accommodation and would be on the bottom of the housing list and probably would be given a flat where she could not keep the cat.   She would most likely to be expected to take up privately rented accommodation.  As she is in receipt of benefits she would be entitled to Housing Benefit, but as you probably know, most private landlords refuse to rent to a tenant on housing benefit.

However, as this lady has mental health issues, she would be classed as vulnerable which could give her priority need status.

I would also recommend that she obtains advice from Shelter, they are excellent.  The CAB are less than useless on housing issues from my experience and I wouldn't waste your time with them (they actually gave me bogus and unhelpful advice when I was struggling with housing issues).  Shelter are excellent though and know what they are talking about.  They will help.

Answer 3

Best thing you can do is go and have a word with CAB,they will tell you what your entitlements are..................

Answer 4

Rules vary within each Home country in relation to social housing provision and my Local Authority does not give points for depression. Benefits are universal to 25 year olds and over, depends on your LA's interpretation on whether you qualify. Go to a Housing Advice group if you can as the CAB are poor in some areas.

Answer 5

It won't be quick!  she will probably be put in Band 2 as a GP letter isn't considered enough to get her into the top band.  She would need a letter from a consultant or psychiatrist or social worker to get her in the top band.  They will not take her cat into account under any circumstances - their responsibility is to her, not her animals - cruel but that's the way it is.  Hopefully she is on the council list - if she's not, fill in the forms and do it now.  She will be given a number and no one will be able to jump ahead of her in that band.  I am number 1000 and something and have been told 2 or 3 years.

Answer 6

the council would find emergency accomodation and would not let her keep the cat the best option would be to go through citizens advice they helped my mum keep her cats when she had to go into private renting the best option would be for her to stay with a friend or relative until she was able to be found a council property. or the cab got her sorted good luck.

Answer 7

Am I the only person sick to death of hearing about what individuals are "entitled" (or in the words of the original post, "intiteled") to?

When will these sad individuals take control of their lives and become productive members of society?

If you cannot be (or do not want to be) a part of mainstream society, do not expect the benefits (social support etc) that mainstream socitey offers.

I for one, am sick to death of leaches on society.