From UKSean..
Hi Sean!
I can't really add anything more to what's already been advised mate. I think boozehags post is extremely informative though. I never stopped to consider the implications of all the red tape you may have to go through concerning British Citizenship having lived in the States for so long now.
I AM however myself in receipt of government benefits called Incapacity Benefit due to my struggles with alcohol and depression. I needed to approach my GP in order to be signed off sick first and continue to produce sick notes when the previous on ran out. It is means tested and you would have to fill in a long form explaining your illness as to how simple things effect your daily life both physically and mentally (if your illness is of that nature!) and is reviewed yearly if you are still long term. Normally a medical examiner will want to speak to you from the 'social' as well.
Housing Association properties normally have waiting lists and you would have to sign up with the relevant housing association to whichever area you are looking at. Preference is normally given to those who apply for an advertised property who have been on the list longest. BUT I do know preference is given further to those who are living in hostels or are deemed as homeless. Again it's another form to fill in but if you classed yourself homeless with NFA you should be given preferential treatment. It was definitely the quickest way for me and my partner at the time to get a property as we were still living in a caravan. (ahh I miss those days!)
I think to be honest with you there's a lot of form filling and red tape to get through at first but don't be put off and make sure you claim everything you're entitled to. The only downside to being on Incap. benefit for me is I can't apply for loans from the social fund as I'm not considered to be actively seeking work and in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance. Incap is about ?20 (I think) a week more than JSA. But if your willing to look for work each day and sign on every fortnight and produce your forms filled in as to what you've been doing to look for work then I would go down that route. You should then be able to apply for a loan or even a free grant to help, say, furnish a property for example.
Best of luck Sean
Love and Happiness
Hippie
xx
Hi Sean!
I can't really add anything more to what's already been advised mate. I think boozehags post is extremely informative though. I never stopped to consider the implications of all the red tape you may have to go through concerning British Citizenship having lived in the States for so long now.
I AM however myself in receipt of government benefits called Incapacity Benefit due to my struggles with alcohol and depression. I needed to approach my GP in order to be signed off sick first and continue to produce sick notes when the previous on ran out. It is means tested and you would have to fill in a long form explaining your illness as to how simple things effect your daily life both physically and mentally (if your illness is of that nature!) and is reviewed yearly if you are still long term. Normally a medical examiner will want to speak to you from the 'social' as well.
Housing Association properties normally have waiting lists and you would have to sign up with the relevant housing association to whichever area you are looking at. Preference is normally given to those who apply for an advertised property who have been on the list longest. BUT I do know preference is given further to those who are living in hostels or are deemed as homeless. Again it's another form to fill in but if you classed yourself homeless with NFA you should be given preferential treatment. It was definitely the quickest way for me and my partner at the time to get a property as we were still living in a caravan. (ahh I miss those days!)
I think to be honest with you there's a lot of form filling and red tape to get through at first but don't be put off and make sure you claim everything you're entitled to. The only downside to being on Incap. benefit for me is I can't apply for loans from the social fund as I'm not considered to be actively seeking work and in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance. Incap is about ?20 (I think) a week more than JSA. But if your willing to look for work each day and sign on every fortnight and produce your forms filled in as to what you've been doing to look for work then I would go down that route. You should then be able to apply for a loan or even a free grant to help, say, furnish a property for example.
Best of luck Sean
Love and Happiness
Hippie
xx
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