Need Help With Moving Advice

[IAmMeThisIsI]

My current living situation is pretty grim. And it's complicated. I suffer from mental health issues but I'm under treatment. Anyway, I live with my mother, her bf and my brother. I am in receipt of benefits as I am too unwell to work due to serious mental health issues. I would love to have a home so I could concentrate on getting better and eventually get back to work. It's impossible currently as my living situation is making me worse. Anyway, I don't think I can afford to pay a lot of rent but I can pay some and the DWP pay most I believe? My father's offered to pay for a deposit and the transportation to move my belongings etc. I even have all the kitchen and living room furniture in storage. But I have no idea where to even start to look for a house. Can anyone offer any advice please? I would be ever so grateful.

If you want to stay in your area then check the council website and see how much your Local authority rates of benefit are for housing benefit there is usually a link to a calculator to see how much you might be entitled to (you may also qualify for council tax exemption or discount). Be warned, often the maximum rate of housing benefit will not cover all the rent if you want to live in an expensive area in a private rental. Also, if you want an actual house you may not be eligible as a single person (I am assuming) and only eligible for rental benefit in a shared house, studio etc (sometimes dependent on age) so you need to check that out.

As well as your deposit you will also need one month's rent to be paid upfront and need to meet affordiablilty criteria if renting from a private landlord/agent. In a lot of cases properties may not be rented to people who are solely relying on benefits. I'd also see if there are housing associations in the area who you could go on the waiting list for.
It sounds like you could do with talking to someone in your locale about what you might be able to access given your situation.
Does your GP's surgery have a welfare benefits advisor whom you could contact for advise and advocacy, especially given your health situation your Gp might even be able to signpost you where to get the best advice and provide documentary evidence to help with an application for social housing. Are there any housing charities in your area who offer help and advice or MH agencies that may be able to advise? Often these are listed on Council website pages or just google your area and housing advice.

To check out property for rent in your preferred areas and how much rent is likely to be have a look on Rightmove.

Good luck.

Thanks so much for your reply. You've given me a list to go through and check off! That's so nice and extremely helpful. I think I will be able to do the GP thing. In my area, with council houses you have to bid on properties depending on the points you get. Yes I am a single woman in her 30s. I may have a better chance with the housing association AND a GP signature methinks. I did have a look online at some private homes rented out. They would pay about £80 (roughly) in housing benefits for me and as long as it's two bedrooms, I would pay the extra PLUS bedroom tax. That's not even including deposit...and rent upfront. It's a lot of money. Money I may have to save up. I think if I'm realistic though and I don't rush it I might be ok. Thanks so much for your help. I'll update this thread when I have something solid. Even if it takes a couple of years. Thanks.