Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Advice on Moving House (self.Blind)
submitted by Ross2503
Hi all.
Later this year or early next year, my partner and I are aiming to move in together. So between now and then I'm trying to be as prepared as possible so that everything goes smoothly when the time comes.
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I'm 22, registered severly sight impaired, I don't have a job but I volunteer for RNIB, which for those who don't know is a charity for people impacted by sight loss here in the UK.
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I'm just interested in hearing your stories and tips about how to make moving home a smooth process, but there are a couple of things I'm unsure about which I'll get to below.
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My partner is my age, has a full time job earning a below average wage. As mentioned above I don't have payed employment but I volunteer, I receive PIP and I'm in the support group for ESA. We are intending to rent a place to live because that makes the most sense for our circumstances. I'm pretty sure I'll have to make a claim for Universal Credit because of how my circumstances will be changing and because the ESA will stop.
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One thing I can't find an answer to is if I will need to re-register my sight loss because I'll be moving to an area which is run by a different council to where I currentl live, so if anyone can help me with that I would greatly appreciate it.
​
I'm also unsure what to do regarding savings. We are both saving up so we can get somewhere unfurnished and make it our own, but if we save up more than £6000 altogether, any Universal Credit payment would get deducted by £1 for every £100 over that mark. It's a strange situation, we are caught between a few minsets: trying not to exceed that amount in savings, saving as much as possible and taking the penalty or saving as much as possible, furnishing the house and then moving in and making the claim for UC.
​
Any advice is welcome and I would be interested to hear any of your stories about how you tackled moving house.
Later this year or early next year, my partner and I are aiming to move in together. So between now and then I'm trying to be as prepared as possible so that everything goes smoothly when the time comes.
​
I'm 22, registered severly sight impaired, I don't have a job but I volunteer for RNIB, which for those who don't know is a charity for people impacted by sight loss here in the UK.
​
I'm just interested in hearing your stories and tips about how to make moving home a smooth process, but there are a couple of things I'm unsure about which I'll get to below.
​
My partner is my age, has a full time job earning a below average wage. As mentioned above I don't have payed employment but I volunteer, I receive PIP and I'm in the support group for ESA. We are intending to rent a place to live because that makes the most sense for our circumstances. I'm pretty sure I'll have to make a claim for Universal Credit because of how my circumstances will be changing and because the ESA will stop.
​
One thing I can't find an answer to is if I will need to re-register my sight loss because I'll be moving to an area which is run by a different council to where I currentl live, so if anyone can help me with that I would greatly appreciate it.
​
I'm also unsure what to do regarding savings. We are both saving up so we can get somewhere unfurnished and make it our own, but if we save up more than £6000 altogether, any Universal Credit payment would get deducted by £1 for every £100 over that mark. It's a strange situation, we are caught between a few minsets: trying not to exceed that amount in savings, saving as much as possible and taking the penalty or saving as much as possible, furnishing the house and then moving in and making the claim for UC.
​
Any advice is welcome and I would be interested to hear any of your stories about how you tackled moving house.
vwlsmssng 3 points 4y ago
> if I will need to re-register my sight loss because I'll be moving to an area which is run by a different council
Yes you will. You will need your CVI.
https://www.rnib.org.uk/eye-health/registering-your-sight-loss
This should connect you up with the local social services, though the quality and value of support does vary between councils.
There may be a local sight support charity you would want to get in touch with, at least for social events where you can talk to people who will get what your problems are. No reason not to contact them before you move.
I can't give you any advice on finance and benefits but hopefully social services / local charity will.
As to moving to a new place there could be a few things to think about:
1. As it is rented, think ahead about moving out, any adjustments you make like sticking bumpons or high contrast markers around light switches will need to be cleaned up and any damage to the decoration repaired. Just budget time and money for this for when you eventually move out. Make sure you know what is in the contract regarding changing things in the property.
2. You might need to train your partner in a few house rules if you haven't lived together before: e.g. don't leave cupboard doors open, don't leave trip hazards, don't move things from their regular places. Expect the layout of the cutlery draw to become an issue initially until things settle down.
3. Label your moving boxes by the room the contents belong in.
4. Make sure any important gadgets / aids are packed so they don't get lost in the move and can be accessed as soon as you need them when you arrive. e.g. magnifiers, cup liquid level beep. phone charger.
5. Make sure you can make a cup of tea as soon as you walk in your new place. Carry milk, teabags, sugar, cups, teaspoons also kitchen towel & toilet tissue, all in an easy to find package. Also any other essentials you need to settle in on your first night should be easily accessible. If your partner needs to go out to work, get the food shopping in, or do other errands / chores you can't do then you should be able to make the bed, maybe cook a meal, lay the table, handle the basic comforts. So you will need to be able to find all the things you'll need for your share of the tasks, plan ahead.
6. Plan budget for a small moving in celebration. It might just be a nice cake with candle or something to serve at the end of a meal.
7. Are you going to need internet access in you new place?
8. Get a street map of the area so you and your partner can go for walks for relaxation and exploration. Learn the routes to your local library, pharmacist, shops, etc. You might get to meet your new neighbours this way.
9. Best of British luck!
Yes you will. You will need your CVI.
https://www.rnib.org.uk/eye-health/registering-your-sight-loss
This should connect you up with the local social services, though the quality and value of support does vary between councils.
There may be a local sight support charity you would want to get in touch with, at least for social events where you can talk to people who will get what your problems are. No reason not to contact them before you move.
I can't give you any advice on finance and benefits but hopefully social services / local charity will.
As to moving to a new place there could be a few things to think about:
1. As it is rented, think ahead about moving out, any adjustments you make like sticking bumpons or high contrast markers around light switches will need to be cleaned up and any damage to the decoration repaired. Just budget time and money for this for when you eventually move out. Make sure you know what is in the contract regarding changing things in the property.
2. You might need to train your partner in a few house rules if you haven't lived together before: e.g. don't leave cupboard doors open, don't leave trip hazards, don't move things from their regular places. Expect the layout of the cutlery draw to become an issue initially until things settle down.
3. Label your moving boxes by the room the contents belong in.
4. Make sure any important gadgets / aids are packed so they don't get lost in the move and can be accessed as soon as you need them when you arrive. e.g. magnifiers, cup liquid level beep. phone charger.
5. Make sure you can make a cup of tea as soon as you walk in your new place. Carry milk, teabags, sugar, cups, teaspoons also kitchen towel & toilet tissue, all in an easy to find package. Also any other essentials you need to settle in on your first night should be easily accessible. If your partner needs to go out to work, get the food shopping in, or do other errands / chores you can't do then you should be able to make the bed, maybe cook a meal, lay the table, handle the basic comforts. So you will need to be able to find all the things you'll need for your share of the tasks, plan ahead.
6. Plan budget for a small moving in celebration. It might just be a nice cake with candle or something to serve at the end of a meal.
7. Are you going to need internet access in you new place?
8. Get a street map of the area so you and your partner can go for walks for relaxation and exploration. Learn the routes to your local library, pharmacist, shops, etc. You might get to meet your new neighbours this way.
9. Best of British luck!
Ross2503 [OP] 2 points 4y ago
Hi, thanks for your response! That's a shame that I'll need to re-register. I was hoping that my existing registration would just be able to switch between councils since it can be a long process registering sight loss. Thanks for all those helpful tips, we've been together 7 years now so she is pretty used to how to deal with my sight. I'll definitely keep all the things you've suggested in mind.
PolariChat 1 points 4y ago
When you know your new address. Get a local GP. Contact your new local council. They will send you a certificate with your new address. Telephone PIP nothing changes with it. It will still go into your account as normal. You will have to make a new claim for benefits. I suggest popping into your local sighloss service who will have all the information you will need and help you sort out your benefits. It's not difficult but it's a lot of changes. Make a list and work through it. Have fun
Ross2503 [OP] 2 points 4y ago
Okay, cheers!
PolariChat 1 points 4y ago
Message me if you want any more information
bradley22 1 points 4y ago
I’ve not moved house but will be moving this year or next with a friend and his girlfriend.
I’d recommend the countryside because it’ll be cheaper.
What if you took the money out of the bank and saved it at home and as soon as you have enough, put it in the bank and pay what you need to straight away?
I’d recommend the countryside because it’ll be cheaper.
What if you took the money out of the bank and saved it at home and as soon as you have enough, put it in the bank and pay what you need to straight away?
Ross2503 [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Yeah the country would be ideal, but since I can do my voluntary work from home where we live is dictated by what job my partner can get and she works in quite a specialist field. At the moment she works in a town which is fine. As long it isn't a big city it should be managable. And yeah that's a good idea, but cash savings count toward that total and I would fel bad about lying about it haha.
bradley22 1 points 4y ago
They’re not going to feel bad about taking your money but I understand.
AmAsabat 1 points 4y ago
Don’t do that be honest it’s easier. You can start to buy things now and build up a “bottom draw” in Victorian parlance. Have things you need not money.
Ross2503 [OP] 1 points 4y ago
True true! Thanks for responding
bradley22 2 points 4y ago
No problem.
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