What to do if you become homeless
Becoming homeless is generally not something that people
actively choose to do. Therefore, if you cannot prevent
becoming homeless, or are already homeless, we can
help.
Contact the Homelessness Advice and Prevention Team and ask
for a homeless assessment to be carried out.
Your individual circumstances will determine how much help we
can give you.
The assessment will find out if you:
- are eligible for assistance
- are homeless or threatened with homelessness
- are in priority need
- are intentionally or unintentionally homeless
- have a local connection to the West Lancashire area
1. Eligible for assistance
We are only able to help British Citizens or people from
abroad who are entitled to receive public funds. Examples of public
funds are income benefits and council housing.
If you are not entitled to help, then unfortunately we
cannot offer you a home.
If you are not sure whether you are entitled to help, contact us
to find out more.
2. Homeless or threatened with homelessness
The law says that someone is homeless if:
- they do not have a home anywhere in the world that they can
legally live in
- they have a home but cannot enter it
- they live in a boat or mobile home but do not have anywhere to
place it
- they have a home but it would not be reasonable for them to
live there
3. In priority need
You have a priority need if:
- you are pregnant
- you have children living with you full-time who are aged under
16 (or over 16 if they are dependent on you because of a
disability)
- you are vulnerable because of old age, mental illness,
disability, being in care (aged 18-20), being in the armed forces,
being in prison or being the victim of violence or threats of
violence
- you are homeless because of an emergency such as a fire or
flood
4. Intentionally or unintentionally
homeless
Intentionally homeless:
You may be classed as intentionally homeless if you have done or
failed to do something which has led to you becoming homeless. An
example would be someone who has moved out of a property without
being asked to do so.
Unintentionally homeless:
An unintentionally homeless person is someone who is homeless
through no fault of their own.
5. Local Connection
You will have a local connection to West Lancashire if you have
lived here for 6 out of the last 12 months, or 3 out of the last 5
years; have close family living here; or if you are employed in the
district.
More information:
Related information
> Contact the housing teams
> Rents and
benefits
> Housing and council tax benefit