Have you moved across the country while reliant on government help? I think I need to...

Hello. 

I moved from one end of my county to another and it was the best thing that happened to me, although how it came about was extremely traumatic. I was also on benefits at that time throughout the whole period of housing difficulties and I was getting ESA, Housing benefit, Council Tax benefit and PIP. 

In 2019 I was hospitalised for 4 months due to homelessness and housing issues (I was already suffering from severe PTSD and panic attacks/agoraphobia before the housing issues started). I had been placed in a council property that was not suited for my needs at all and caused me to end up in a severe state of zero functionality. I was extremely fortunate that I had a care package at that time that my friend sorted out and she was helping to support me. I then deteriorated to the point of hospitalisation due to the unresolved housing situation. 

Whilst I was hospitalised, a suitable property swap came up. I was able to swap my allocated council property on the swapping system that the councils run, and was able to live in a suitable property. This all happened whilst I was in hospital and I was incredibly fortunate that my friend dealt with everything pretty much, including packing up all my stuff and moving it over. I was discharged from hospital via ambulance into my new home and I've been here ever since. The home I live in now has given me so much stability because it is suitable for my needs finally. 

The whole process of how it came about was incredibly traumatic, on top of all the difficulties I was experiencing at that time. However, I am so glad I finally have the stability in housing for the first time in my life (I'm 48). 

I'm not sure if you are in social housing or private, but if you are in social housing, they have a property swap website where you can swap with someone else in the whole country. The rules, generally, are you have to have secure tenant status (usually a year of being in a property) and that it has to be like for like. I only qualify for a one bedroom property so I could only swap with another person who also qualified for a one bed property. 

If you are in private rented then the reality is trying to find a suitable private rented property in the area you wish to move to or getting on the social housing list and waiting it until you are allocated a property. 

Housing is such a fundamental are for so many struggling people. Inappropriate and harmful housing absolutely decimated me. Appropriate and supportive housing has been the making of me and enabled me to start working towards healing and increased function again. 

I would not have been able to undertake that move without the support from my friend. A move across the country would be a tall ask for anyone. Personally I would try and find as much social, emotional and practical support as possible before you attempt it and find out as many options as possible. 

A complete change of environment has massively helped me, in addition to lots of other self help work, therapy etc that I have done. 

I wish you well on your future.

Hello. 

I moved from one end of my county to another and it was the best thing that happened to me, although how it came about was extremely traumatic. I was also on benefits at that time throughout the whole period of housing difficulties and I was getting ESA, Housing benefit, Council Tax benefit and PIP. 

In 2019 I was hospitalised for 4 months due to homelessness and housing issues (I was already suffering from severe PTSD and panic attacks/agoraphobia before the housing issues started). I had been placed in a council property that was not suited for my needs at all and caused me to end up in a severe state of zero functionality. I was extremely fortunate that I had a care package at that time that my friend sorted out and she was helping to support me. I then deteriorated to the point of hospitalisation due to the unresolved housing situation. 

Whilst I was hospitalised, a suitable property swap came up. I was able to swap my allocated council property on the swapping system that the councils run, and was able to live in a suitable property. This all happened whilst I was in hospital and I was incredibly fortunate that my friend dealt with everything pretty much, including packing up all my stuff and moving it over. I was discharged from hospital via ambulance into my new home and I've been here ever since. The home I live in now has given me so much stability because it is suitable for my needs finally. 

The whole process of how it came about was incredibly traumatic, on top of all the difficulties I was experiencing at that time. However, I am so glad I finally have the stability in housing for the first time in my life (I'm 48). 

I'm not sure if you are in social housing or private, but if you are in social housing, they have a property swap website where you can swap with someone else in the whole country. The rules, generally, are you have to have secure tenant status (usually a year of being in a property) and that it has to be like for like. I only qualify for a one bedroom property so I could only swap with another person who also qualified for a one bed property. 

If you are in private rented then the reality is trying to find a suitable private rented property in the area you wish to move to or getting on the social housing list and waiting it until you are allocated a property. 

Housing is such a fundamental are for so many struggling people. Inappropriate and harmful housing absolutely decimated me. Appropriate and supportive housing has been the making of me and enabled me to start working towards healing and increased function again. 

I would not have been able to undertake that move without the support from my friend. A move across the country would be a tall ask for anyone. Personally I would try and find as much social, emotional and practical support as possible before you attempt it and find out as many options as possible. 

A complete change of environment has massively helped me, in addition to lots of other self help work, therapy etc that I have done. 

I wish you well on your future.