How soon can I move in? Expand Once we have determined that you meet our criteria and have an exit strategy in place, this is up to you, and we encourage you to work with your discharge team (if applicable) as to what a suitable date might be and how soon care and equipment can be in place for you. It is important to note that Housing Benefit will only pay a maximum of four weeks prior to discharge, for a new tenancy. So should your tenancy begin, and your discharge be delayed beyond four weeks you may be liable for rent in the interim.
How long can I stay/will I have to leave after 6 months? Expand If you are approaching the end of your six month stay you can request an extension if your long-term housing has not been found. You will need to request this in writing and evidence that you have continually worked towards finding your long-term housing e.g., demonstrate that you have been bidding on properties, viewing potential properties for sale or that your adaptation works are ongoing.
What if I find a property in less than six months/before tenancy is up? Expand That’s fine, all we require is four weeks notice to end the tenancy.
How are your properties furnished? Expand All our properties are fully furnished including small appliances, utensils, and crockery. The only essential furnishing you will need is bedding.
Do you operate a waiting list? Expand Yes, we do. You can see our Housing Map for a list of all our properties. If your preferred property is not currently vacant you can still complete a referral form. We will then contact you should this become available.
Can I further adapt the property? Expand No, as an interim option aimed to support many people over time, the property cannot be adapted to your needs specifically. However, all our properties are fully adapted to Category 3 Wheelchair user dwelling standards. These include rise and fall units, a fully accessible wet room and appliances/furniture which is easily compatible with aids provided by your Community Occupational Therapist.
Do you provide Care? Expand No, we do not provide care. Should you require care this will be provided by Adult Social Care, if you are entitled to Social Care, or your Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) if you are entitled to Continuing Healthcare. If you are currently an inpatient, please speak to your Discharge Coordinator regarding care. If you are currently living in the community, please speak with your care provider about a potential move and transferring your care package to a new address.
Do you provide equipment? Expand Our properties are fully furnished and will include general aids and adaptations such as grab rails, side opening ovens, a rise and fall kitchen counter, hob, and sinks. We cannot supply any equipment specific to your needs (such as a Hoist) as these will need to come via your Community Occupational Therapist. If you think you may need additional equipment, please speak with your discharge coordinator if you are an inpatient. You can also contact your Social Worker, Care Provider or GP for a referral.
Do you provide support? Expand Yes, we provide ongoing support to our tenants to obtain their long-term housing goal and return to independent living after sustaining a spinal cord injury. We understand that for our tenants, their lives have changed. They may no longer be able to continue with the work they did pre-injury or the hobbies they enjoyed. They may temporarily be living away from family and friends or feel they are struggling with isolation. We will assess your goals with you at the point of signup and within the Housing Team we have a dedicated Tenant Support Officer who will continue to conduct regular goal planning sessions with you to support with any issues you may be facing. We work and liaise with other organisations to best support you where required.
I am newly injured and don’t know when or if I will be able to return to work Expand You could be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you are employed. You won’t get it for the first 3 days you’re off sick and the maximum it can be paid for is 28 weeks. If you have had an previous period of sickness with 8 weeks of your injury and paid SSP you will not have to serve the 3 waiting days. That period of sickness will count towards the 28 weeks maximum that SSP can be paid for. Your employer might pay you more than the statutory amount via contractual or company sick pay. You might get this from your first day off sick. It is important that you follow your employers rules about reporting sickness as if you don’t your employer can refuse to pay you SSP. Agency workers or casual workers could be entitled to SSP if you are working when injured. If you are self-employed you will not be entitled to SSP. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/sick-leave-and-sick-pay/check-if-you-can-get-sick-pay/
My employer has told me that I am not entitled to SSP or sick pay Expand Depending on your National Insurance Contributions record over the last two or three years you may entitled to New Style Employment Support Allowance (ESA). You cannot claim ESA whilst SSP is in payment, however it can be paid in addition to contractual or occupational sick pay. It is not a means tested benefit so is not affected by savings and most other income that you or your partner have. You will need a ‘fit note’ from your doctors to confirm the period you will not be able to work for. If there has been a delay in you being able to claim you can request backdating of up to three months. As part of the claim you will need to go through a work capability assessment. This involves having to complete a questionnaire and in most cases assessment. The outcome will determine if you can continue receiving the benefit and at which rate. More information is available via https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance
My income has reduced since I was injured and I am struggling to pay bills Expand Universal Credit (UC) could help. It is a means-tested benefit for those on low incomes and depending on their circumstances. It can help top up statutory sick pay, occupational sick pay or other benefits. The amount you will be paid depends on factors such as if you are single or in a couple, have children, disability, rental liability, your income and savings. If you are in receipt of the certain other benefits (known as legacy benefits) you cannot be paid both. The legacy benefits are housing benefit, tax credits, income support, income related employment support allowance and income related jobseekers allowance. If you are in receipt of one of these then you should request a benefits check as you could be financially worse off by claiming UC. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/before-you-apply/what-universal-credit-is/ https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/eligibility
I have been told that I am entitled to disability benefits. What are they and how do I claim? Expand There are four main disability benefits: Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Attendance Allowance (AA) Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Adult Disability Payment (ADP) - only in Scotland They are based on long term difficulties due to an illness or disability and not affected by earnings, most other benefits, income or savings. These benefits cannot be claimed or paid at the same time. Prior to PIP being introduced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) was the main disability benefit. It is not possible to make a claim for DLA now unless you are under 16. Most people who were on DLA have had to claim PIP instead. Some adults are still on DLA, so if you are and your needs have changed due to a spinal cord injury you should seek advice before claiming PIP. PIP or Adult Disability Payment can be claimed by those who are under state pension age. If you are awarded it, then you can continue being paid even after pension age. You must have had care and mobility issues for a least three months before a claim is made. Therefore, unless you had these needs before your injury you will need to be three months post injury before making a claim. However, if you have a terminal illness you may be able to claim straight away under ‘special rules’. If you are over state pension age and not already in receipt of PIP, you will need to consider making a claim for Attendance Allowance. There is a qualifying period of six months which means you must have the needs for at least that time. Whilst claims can be made whilst you are an inpatient you will not receive a payment whilst in hospital or in some cases a care/ nursing home. If you are on any of these benefits already it is important to notify the Department of Work and Pensions of the start date of your admission as this will avoid any overpayment issues in the future. https://www.gov.uk/pip https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children https://www.mygov.scot/adult-disability-payment
I am unhappy with the decision made by the DWP, what can I do? Expand You should ask for a mandatory reconsideration. When requesting the reconsideration you should clearly state why you are disputing the decision and if possible send in supporting evidence. If you're not happy with the outcome of the reconsideration, you can appeal to Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). A tribunal panel will make a decision based on the facts and law. You can request either a paper or oral hearing. An oral hearing will normally be held at a venue near you where you and your representative will have the opportunity to present your case. Oral hearings have a higher success rate. Normally you have one month from the decision to request a mandatory reconsideration or an appeal . It is important to appeal in time otherwise you might lose the chance to challenge the decision. If you miss the deadline, a late request can be made if you have good reasons is accepted why it’s late. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/benefits-introduction/problems-with-benefits-and-tax-credits/challenging-benefit-decisions/challenging-a-decision-by-the-dwp-or-hmrc/