I’m 16 right now, but in july i’ll be 17 and i’ll be homeless in august. I have schizophrenia (this hasn’t been officially diagnosed yet but i have all the symptoms but i have been diagnosed with anxiety and ocd) I am on lower rate mobility and lower rate care on disability living allowance and it’s the only benefit I claim which is around £160 a month and impossible to live on. I moved in with my boyfriend who has his own flat because he’s home more than my mum was and i need more care (my schizophrenia) and he was willing. He works full time but is planning on going back to college in after the tenancy here is up and we won’t be able to afford somewhere to live because he’d only be working part time. I have absolutely no where to go but he could go to his grandmas but i wouldn’t be able to so he isn’t going to go either. I’d need my boyfriend to live with me (the whole reason i moved out was because i needed someone with me EVERY night as i have really bad episodes and black outs) Am I entitled to any benefits that could pay my rent or atleast go towards rent? The option to go back to live with my mum is out of the question now as she’s moved into a house share with my younger brother where they are even sharing a bedroom.
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Talk to your local council and to Shelter (http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice).
Contact your local housing office. IF you cannot go home for any reason then you WILL be offered a hostel bed with high support needs because of your age. at 17 you should stil be living at home and if you CANNOT the government have a LEGAL obligation to keep you safe by offering you a bed. If you have been in care you will be reffered back to social services.
You need to get support though from the CMHT as your risk assessment will need to be considered here (I know people who are mentally ill are not generally aggressive but they need to rule this out.
A VERY good place to start is Mind google mind and give them a call/pop in for a visit they will help and advise you. the reallyt good thing about Mind is they have hostels up and down the country as well as shared houses that offer 24/7 support to people so there will be no reason to have your boyfriend drop out of college ect.
mind can advise on benefits too, from the sounds of it you should be recieveing mid/higher rate care, as well as ESA however although you may nto need a diagnosis you will need to provide proof of being ill,
Source(s): Been in your position and recieved all the help I needed to live a normal life
You need that diagnosis, without this you are entitled to very little…even with it there isn’t much…but you’ll have case workers to help you. Caseworkers could get you accommodation and enhanced benefits, they know all the routes into housing and support for someone like you.
First of all D.L.A. is on the way out…be prepared for this…and you need to be on the higher rates to increase your entitlements, so, get yourself referred by your G.P., and then when you get diagniosed don’t refuse medication as this will go against you.
You’re too young to qualify for Housing benefits and your boyfriend may not qualify as your carer if he is working or in college – and you only need care at nights.You’re too young to sign a tenancy agreement and anyway you’d need references and a guarantor, it would be best for your boyfriend to go for a private rent with you as a co tenant .
So, go to the Housing Office and explain your situation as it varies around the country…they may be able to offer you a hostel place until you’re 18…or they may give your boyfriend a flat – assuming he’s over 18, then get to the doctor’s.Also go on govdirect and do a benefit check although I don’t think there’s much available to you as under 18’s are supposed to be under the care of their parents…
Get a council house. Your boyfriend can also apply to be your full time carer but you will need to be diagnosed with schizophrenia. No one needs to be homeless in the UK. Contact the council. Good luck.