social fund help please

dreamylittledream

The amount awarded on a crisis loan should be the amount required to buy the item at the lower end of the price spectrum at new - this is only subject to your current SF debt level.

The amount awarded on a BL is the lower of the maximum available to you depending on your family circumstances (single, couple or family) vs the amount applied for - after deducting current Budgeting Loan debt.

The amount awarded on a Community Care Grant is dependant not only on the cost of the item but also the state of the CCG budget at that particlular time.

As to people spending money awarded by the SF for items other than what was applied for - as long as the award is made (foolishly imho) in cash this is always going to happen.

However don't expect a future DM to be too sympathetic if you apply for a cooker - spend the money on a holiday and then your cooker actually does break down!

Welshwoofs

Clover - firstly, sorry for your loss!

My suggestion is to invest in a box of black Dylon. I remember at my Grandfather's funeral years ago (before the days of cheap supermarket clothes) I was working full time, fresh out of college and was totally skint. I picked out a smart pair of trousers/shirt from my existing wardrobe and simply dyed them.

As for flowers, Aldi do bouquets for £2-£3 or you could pick your own. There are still flowers around at this time of year, however there are also a lot of winter interest things in the hedgerows. I'd also echo someone else's idea of Freecycle for both flowers and clothes if you don't fancy buying/dying some.

Good luck

AnxiousMum

Hey Clover - have been thinking about you today.
I know you really want one of those 'grandad' flower pieces. They are beautiful, and I know that's what your dad often joked about wanting to have - but, technically, they are pieces of foam cut to the shape of the letters, with the flowers/greenery inserted into the foam. With a little effort you could create this WITH your children - making it even that much more special!
Are you near a store that might have some foam that has been used to pack goods? I'll bet you any Curry's/Comet store or the like has it sitting in their recycling bin out back - and would be glad to see it used in such a way. Another poster above has mentioned things growing in hedgerows.....you know you could create an absolutely beautiful 'grandad' arrangement by doing this, and linking the pieces of foam together with wire. It would certainly be a heartfelt gesture and one that wouldn't break the bank. Just a thought?

DX2

FAO: donnajunkie you may have missed my post this morning so I'm going to cut it down a little for this thread as it seems relevant to the info you are giving others.

DX2 wrote: »

From October 2009

• From the end of October 2009 those making a third and subsequent application for a crisis loan for living expenses (other than for loans to cover the period before a claimant receives their first payment of benefit or wages) will be required to attend a face to face interview. Claimants will also be limited to no more than three crisis loan awards for living expenses in any 12 month period. See Hansard written answers 14 Oct 2009 : Column 890W-891W.