If you have to leave your accommodation and we are unable to keep you there, or if you have no accommodation available now, then we will invite you to make a homeless application. The Council has certain legal responsibilities towards homeless people, but the amount of help we can offer depends on the circumstances of each applicant. Before accepting a full duty to help you, the Council must be satisfied that an applicant passes all of the following tests:
1. Eligible for rehousing.
Certain persons from abroad are not entitled to housing assistance. The law on eligibility is complex so we will ask some detailed questions on immigration status. This is likely to include questions on your employment status and history.
2. Homeless or threatened with homelessness.
You are threatened with homelessness if you are likely to be homeless within 28 days. You are homeless if you have no accommodation in the UK or elsewhere. If you do have accommodation available either in or outside of the UK, and it is reasonable to expect you to occupy the accommodation, then the Council may decide that you are not homeless.
3. Priority need
You are in priority need if you have dependent children or pregnant. You may also be in priority need if you have health difficulties.
4. Not intentionally homeless
We may decide that you are intentionally homeless if you deliberately do something, or fail to do something, that directly leads to you becoming homeless.
5. Local Connection
You can establish a connection by working in the South Somerset area, or by living in this area for 6 out of the last 12 months or 3 out of the last 5 years. You can also have a local connection if your close relatives have lived in the area for more than 5 years.
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