Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi everyone
I am on the autistic spectrum, and have had a tough last few years. I have spent the last few years living with my fiancee and her family. However, her family can no longer help support us, and now we are homeless, with nowhere to stay and no one to reach out to. We have approached our local council (in London), to try and get either temporary accomodation or to move out to another council with a housing surplus. However, the council told us my autism assessment documentation from when I was a child is no good, (which i dont understand considering the lifelong implications and affects of ASD) and that I need up to date proof of how my autism affects me. I do not know where to go, who to speak to or how to resolve this issue. I am in desparate need of help and advice, and I dont know where to turn. I literally cant think straight, i havent eaten a proper meal in over 48 hours and this whole situation is streasing me out to the point where i feel on the edge of breaking down. Please help me, and thank you.
It is appalling indeed that homelessness is normalised in this way. We would be in jobs and in safe accommodation, well supported by numerous friends had we not have autism. But for now, try to steady yourself, you need a cool head. Just try to to breeze, to steady yourself and go methodically through that list of actions you could do. And keep talking to us. :)
Tinyexplorer said:
The council decides if you're vulnerable by looking at:
Supporting information from your GP, psychiatrist, social worker or other agencies can help. The letter should set out what harm you will suffer if you are on the streets.
-----
I'm so shocked at this. I can't believe that is real. "if you can cope with being homeless" ? "What harm you will suffer if you are on the streets"? People need to have special evidence to show they will suffer extra harm for the council to help them not live in the street? Sorry I have nothing helpful to say, I'm just absolutely shocked that in this society only certain "degrees" of suffering will lead to help with finding somewhere safe to live and if some person in an office with a checklist doesn't think you're suffering ehough, you're out on your own, clearly you can cope with being homeless. WTAF. Sorry. I'm appalled.
Hi NAS63152,
I am so sorry that you are going through a challenging time. You may find the following links which provide information on getting help from social services useful:
(Adults England)
https://www.autism.org.uk/about/benefits-care/community-care/adult-care/england.aspx
(Adults Scotland)
http://www.autism.org.uk/about/benefits-care/community-care/adult-care/scotland.aspx
(Adults Wales)
http://www.autism.org.uk/about/benefits-care/community-care/adult-care/wales.aspx
(Adults Northern Ireland)
http://www.autism.org.uk/about/benefits-care/community-care/adult-care/northern-ireland.aspx
You may also want to look at the services provided by The National Autistic Society which may be of help: http://www.autism.org.uk/our-services.aspx
Our Autism Helpline may also be able to help. Advisers can talk through the different types of support and search for services in your area. You can call them on 0808 800 4104 (Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm, Friday 9am to 3pm).Please note that the Helpline is experiencing a high volume of calls and it may take a couple of attempts before you get through to speak to an advisor.
I hope this helps,
Chloe Mod.
I am sorry I don't have any particular experience, just didn't want to run.
Have you seen this page from shelter? https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homelessness/rules/priority_need
The council may decide you're in priority need because you or a member of your household are classed as 'vulnerable'.
You might be vulnerable because of:
You're not automatically classed as vulnerable if you fit into one of these groups.
NAS63152 said: I literally cant think straight, i havent eaten a proper meal in over 48 hours and this whole situation is streasing me out to the point where i feel on the edge of breaking down
If you are on the edge, stay safe, or perhaps go to A&E that do mental health emergencies ?
It seems that the pivotal thing is to show whether you can cope with being homeless. Remember, the letter should set out what harm you will suffer if you are on the streets [compared to non autistic person].
It probably requires huge emotional resilience, planning, organisation, executive function, emotional regulation, and what about sensory. I can't begin to imagine how people cope. Could you call Shelter, NAS? Someone got helped by The Autism Advocate https://twitter.com/kieranrose7?lang=en
How autism affects you in daily life - download the guidance on filling in PIP form, it would give you some framework, questions to ask yourself in terms of how your autism affects you daily and tips on how to demonstrate/judge your level of need. This one is the best: https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/shop/disability-rights-handbook-2019-2020 email them, maybe they will wave the fee or advise you somehow.
Do you have any letter from the family that they cannot/will not accommodate you?
harm compared to non autistic homeless ppl: do you have any recent reports/incidence of bullying / violence or crime towards you? autistic people are at higher risk of abuse and crime victimisation, this is a well established fact, did anything happen to you/ likely ...
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5980973/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4131130/
This is for legal aid I think Contact Civil Legal Advice on 0345 345 4 345
I'm really sorry to hear about your situation. I don't know if I can help but wanted to suggest something.
Is there anyone official you can get to call up or write a letter for you to the council housing department?
The word of professionals such as doctors, social workers, psychiatric nurses, are acted on more than when we speak for ourselves.
Maybe the Citizens Advice Bureau could offer some kind of help.