Tips on How to Complete a Successful Move When You Have a Disability | Disabled Person
Moving
is difficult under the best of circumstances. There are a lot of tasks to
handle, many of which are surprisingly complex. If you happen to have a
disability, then it is even more challenging.
Thankfully,
if you use the right approach, it can be easier. If you have a disability and
want to make sure your move is a success, here’s what you need to know.
Getting the Right House for You
Many
people with disabilities have unique needs. They might need to find an
accessible property or favor homes with simple upkeep requirements, ensuring
the workload associated with owning the house is manageable.
Often,
it’s best to make your disability-related needs your main priority. That way,
you can concentrate on houses with those must-have features, ensuring you aren’t
charmed by a home that ultimately isn’t going to work for you.
Navigating the Home-Buying Process
If
you’re a first-time homebuyer, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with the
home-buying process before you begin. There are a lot of steps you’ll need to
navigate. By knowing what they are before you start, you can get everything in
order in advance.
First,
spend some time reviewing your budget to determine what’s affordable. Along
with your mortgage costs, you’ll need to cover homeowner’s insurance and
property taxes. In some cases, you might owe PMI, so you want to factor that into the
equation. Similarly, planning for future maintenance expenses is smart.
Second,
make sure to check your credit score. That plays a big role in whether you can
get a mortgage, so you want to make sure that you’re in good shape.
Additionally,
get all of the paperwork together with that a lender might want to review. Some
common documents are:
●
Tax Returns
●
Bank Statements
●
Pay Stubs
●
Investment Account Statements
Along
the way, you should also explore assistance programs in your area. In some
cases, you may be able to get down payment assistance, money to turn a
non-accessible house into an accessible one, or unique mortgage options.
Handling the Move
While
you can move on your own, it may be better to hire movers if you have a
disability. Some movers will simply handle the loading, transporting, and
unloading of boxes you pack. With these, you want to start packing as soon as
you begin putting in offers, giving you time to manage that process.
Additionally, pack like-items together and use color-coded tape to identify
which boxes go where.
If you
want assistance with packing and unpacking, too, you’ll need a full-service mover.
They’ll take care of every step; all you’ll need to do is supervise.
In
either case, how much it costs can vary. The day of the week you move, how far
you’re going, and whether you’re willing to share truck space with other
households can play a role in the price, as well as other factors. Make sure
you get several bids for any service. That way, you can get the best deal.
Transitioning Your Social Security, Insurance, and
Business
Social
Security programs operate at the federal level, so they will transition with
you if you move to a new state. If you receive SSI
or SSDI, you’ll simply need to contact the Social Security Administration and
update your address after your move to ensure your payments continue.
When
it comes to healthcare, it’s more complicated. Medicaid operates at the state level, and requirements
can vary, so you’ll need to apply again if you move across state lines.
The
same goes for Affordable Care Act (ACA)
insurance. By crossing state lines, you’ll have to head to your new local
exchange during the special enrollment period
(SEP), which usually lasts up to 60 days. That way, you can secure new coverage.
If you’re relocating your business, you’ll need to take steps to inform your customers of your address change. For out-of-state moves, you’ll have to register your business in your new state. Make sure to update your business cards as well. A free business card app allows you to design new business cards by choosing a template and then adding your own images, color scheme, and text.
Find companies committed to hiring individuals with disabilities
through job listings from disABLEDperson