Imagine arriving at your property, only to find your once cosy home flooded and unfit to live in and not knowing where you are going to stay.
The Temporary Accommodation Benefit is designed precisely for times like these to help you cover the cost of a place to stay until your home is safe to live in again. However, depending on the scale of damage, rebuild times may be lengthy and accommodation options limited, making suitable housing hard to find and even harder to afford.
This is why it’s important to be insured by a company like Sure who will work with you to explore solutions that best suit you and allow your benefit to stretch further.
Sometimes planning upfront, can avoid nasty surprises like finding out your benefit has run out months before your rebuild is finished.
1. Remaining at your property
If your home is safe and fit to live in, but lacks essentials like a functional kitchen or bathroom, it might be possible to stay with a few temporary additions. For example, if you need cooking facilities or toilets, it may be possible to install transportable kitchens or bathrooms, or small living structures, such as a caravan. This lets you stay in your home, minimising any inconvenience to you of living elsewhere.
2. Staying with family or friends
Staying with family or friends may be the most comfortable option for you, but it can still come with added costs, like extra food and utilities. Some insurance policies will offer an allowance to cover the reasonable extra costs of staying with loved ones. This way, you won’t feel like you’re imposing, and everyone can feel comfortable during a challenging time.
3. Finding your own temporary accommodation
Sometimes, the best accommodation option is one you find yourself. You might know of a rental home that’s a perfect fit or have contacts who can help you secure a great place to stay. Being proactive and looking for alternative options might land you a better deal than what’s readily available, helping stretch your benefit budget further.
4. Letting your insurer organise accommodation
If searching for housing isn’t something you want to handle at this stressful time, you can ask your insurer to help. Some insurance companies partner with accommodation providers who specialise in temporary housing after major weather events. They’ll coordinate housing options that meet your needs and budget, saving you time and stress.
Sure has created a useful guide to the Temporary Accommodation Benefit, so you can better understand your options.
Temporary accommodation benefits are usually capped (time and dollar value) so it’s important to consider your options upfront and work with your insurer to find the support and solution that is right for you.
