Totally fed up

dippydoodah

Sorry I have not been around to help others much lately but I have been having so many problems with the Lancashire Council over my housing application and Im really getting down about it all.

I was diagnosed with generalized OA in February, basically Im riddled with it and am really struggling so I have asked to move to be closer to my family and was informed that applications for 'medical conditions' would be placed in a higher band. Ive now been told that due to the fact I already have a tenancy with Greater Manchester, I am classed as non-urgent and put in the lowest band, despite the medical documentation provided. My husband argued our point over the phone with the housing team and they have now said they will put my application forward to be assessed by an independant GP on May 20th to decide whether I am a priority or not. I submitted my application on 19th March and was 'guaranteed' a decision within 10 days ~ what a joke.

Im so upset and angry by it all. I can barely walk, can't drive anymore and need my husband to help with so many daily tasks its ridiculous but because we already have a house we're not priority. My parents, sisters and brothers all live in Lancashire borough and I just want to be closer to them for support and help and they all supplied letters (as requested by the Council) confirming their support.

I understand waiting for a vacant property might take a while but I was hoping to at least have that bit of hope that I wasn't at the bottom of the list while we're waiting...

Why do we have to fight for everything :x Grrrrrrr

skezier

Hi Caroline,

I really do hope they find in your favour. its stupid to me they should have you as a priority! Fingers crossed they find in your favour.

Its not surprising your feeling down about all this. I think pain makes coping o much harder and well i can't do much expect send you a ((( ))) and a shed load of hope. Cris x

dorcas

Hi Caroline

this is yet another bureaucratic nightmare why were you asked to provide all that info and then told you that your not a priority? makes no sense to me at all and no wonder it has increased your frustration. :x

Would it be worth speaking to your MP (if you can get a hold of him just now with the election) or CAB or a Housing Advice centre?

so sorry about all of this Caroline......try to stay strong. (((hugs))) from me too.

Iris x

mellman01

Why do we have to fight for everything you ask?, isn't it obvious you/we are a genuinely I'll that's why, if you were some physically fit yet unemployed bum who just sits around all day drinking their giro and generally breeding ferel clones at every given opertunity and who also threatend them with gratuituos violence every time you went to see them it would be all done and dusted by now.
Oh I love the handle.

efleure

Hi, although not ideal, would you be willing to swap with someone who lives nearer to your family? If you have a house, I would think there would be plenty of people who would like to swap with you. Homeswapper is a good website for people in housing association or council properties to do this. Hope this helps. At least it would increase your options whilst you wait for this silly red tape to be sorted.

speedalong

Sorry you are being mucked about so much ...if the powers that be listened to people they would see the advantage of helping you move and since you already have a house - you moving means it frees up somewhere else ... hardly problematic for them then is it?!

efleure wrote:

Hi, although not ideal, would you be willing to swap with someone who lives nearer to your family? If you have a house, I would think there would be plenty of people who would like to swap with you. Homeswapper is a good website for people in housing association or council properties to do this. Hope this helps. At least it would increase your options whilst you wait for this silly red tape to be sorted.

Hi was going to suggest a house swap - I have heard of others do it and it working out great .. didn't know of the homeswapper website ... this might make it easier to do.

Speedalong

dippydoodah

Thank you for your kind support. Im feeling alot better about it today, maybe its the sun!

Im going to be patient and wait to see what the GP decides and if its bad news, appeal.

Im considering the houseswap register and have asked the Council to send me a form to complete - worth a try hey.

Thanks again, trying to be positive. Thankfully I have a wonderful family who still travel to me for babysitting etc if I need help

Will keep you posted
Caroline x

efleure

Hi again Dippydoodah, just a quick note to say that if you log onto www.homeswapper.co.uk, you can just fill in details about your place, and then the place you want, and where you want it, and it lets you search the whole site for exactly what you want, where you want it. You can put photos on your page, and people just message you on there and you can respond to whoever takes your fancy. You don't have to have any dealings with your council at all, you just do it all yourself, and then if you find a swap you just let your council know, sign a few papers, and then you move within about 6 weeks if all goes well...I did it myself last year to move to a flat from my house, as I couldn't manage stairs anymore. It's a brilliant way to give you some control about moving,as as you already know, waiting for council or housing associations to bother to do anything to help you/us is a nightmare. Try it....it's a really good site. It 'll cost you about £6 for about 6 months I think. Glad you're feeling a bit brighter today. x

woodbon

Hi, Just to say that I'm so sorry that you've been having all the problems. It must be worrying for you. I hope you soon get it sorted out. The stress must make your OA worse, it does mine, but don't give up hope, pester them so they will want to do something! :?
Lots of love, take care Suexxx

ironic

My friend had all sorts of problems with housing. They said until she was homeless they could not do anything But I'm gald to say it turned out ok in the end. She got a two bedroomed bungalow newly built So hang on in there, you will get sorted. Lv, Ix

dippydoodah

Thank you. Im waiting ever so patiently now until May to see what the result is and my husband has told me that if we are unlucky, he will make our home that we have now as manageable as possible to keep my independance (he's very good at diy ) He'll fit all the relevant equiptment to make it easier for me, as much as he can anyway.

I realise Im very lucky to have such a supportive family. With or without a move, Im happy that I have them around and I know how fortunate I am.

Caroline x

woodbon

Hi,
I'm glad that your husband is so supportive, it makes a huge difference, I think. Keeping your independence is important and practical in the long run.

You also sound more positive!

Good luck, lots of love Sue