What happens at your interview
We will arrange for you to have an interview with a trained officer, with either our Assessment or Prevention Team. Our staff are fully trained to offer all information and advice you may need. Our services are free, confidential, professional and understanding.
Your interview should take around an hour depending on your circumstances. When you come for your interview, we can:
- Offer you a private interview
- Provide an interpreter, sign-language service, or make other reasonable adjustments if required
- Offer you an interview with a Caseworker of the same sex
- Discuss if you need temporary accommodation
We will also assess any support needs you may have, and will refer you to help and support if needed.
What you need to bring
Please bring as much information as possible about your situation to the interview. This includes any relevant documentation or evidence.
You should bring the following information:
- Identification for whole family - such as a passport, birth certificate or driving licence
- Your National Insurance Number
- Proof of income and Benefit award letters
- Current telephone number and email address
- Five year address history
- Proof of access arrangements for children
An interview with our Assessment Team helps us decide whether you:
- Are legally considered homeless or at risk of becoming homeless within 2 months
- Have not deliberately acted in a way that has caused you to be homeless
If you have acted in a way that has caused you to be homeless, we may find you to be intentionally homeless. This would usually be if:
- You lost your home through your own actions, for example, not paying your rent or mortgage
- You chose to leave your home
- You were aware your actions would make your homeless
If we decide you are intentionally homeless, you will not be awarded Band 1 Home Seeker status for applying for properties. We will provide you with advice and assistance to help you find somewhere else to live.
How long will the assessment and decision take?
We aim to assess your situation within 28 days of the date of your application, if you have provided all the necessary information to us. We will let you know, either by letter or email, what our duties are towards you under homeless legislation.
If you do not agree with your assessment decision, believe your temporary accommodation is unsuitable or if you have been offered secure/permanent accommodation and do not wish to proceed, you have a legal right to a review.
Contact Us
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you homeless?
You don't have to be living on the streets to be homeless. You are homeless if:
- You have no accommodation which you are permitted or entitled to occupy
- You are sleeping rough
- You are unable to get access to housing
- You live in a night shelter, refuge or other emergency housing
- You are experiencing violence, harassment, racial harassment or are threatened with violence from someone you live with or used to live with
- You live in a mobile home or houseboat and there is nowhere for you to pitch or moor it
- Your household is overcrowded in terms of housing legislation, and this is causing physical or mental health problems
- Your household is forced to live apart
- You have somewhere to live but it is unreasonable for you to do so, for example your house is in a poor state of repair
- You are living with friends or relatives, and they have asked you to leave
- You are in this situation through no fault of your own
- You are at risk of becoming homeless if you are likely to fall into one of the above categories in the next 2 months.
Where will my interview be held?
Our Homeless Assessment Team are based at East Advice and Support Hub.
Our Prevention Team are based at Central Advice and Support Hub.
Does my partner need to come to the hub with me?
If your partner lives with you, it would be helpful for them to come to the interview. We will need to see proof of their identification.
Will you check that I've been asked to leave my home?
Yes, as part of the assessment process, we will usually check that why you have been asked to leave your previous property. Please let us know if you have any concerns about this.
I have a home but don’t feel safe living there. Can I present as homeless?
If you have concerns about living in your current home, please contact us and we will assess what support we can give you.
I’m not from the UK, can I still present as homeless?
If you have settled status, indefinite leave to remain or refugee status, you will usually be eligible for help. We will check your immigration status as part of our assessment.
Can I present as homeless to more than one local authority?
You can within Scotland, but we would encourage you to present only to the area you wish to be permanently housed in. If you have more than homeless application, we would ask you keep us updated on if you are housed elsewhere.
Can I appeal the decision on my case?
You have the right to review in certain circumstances. Further information is available at Falkirk Council - Appeals