Has anyone applied for a Community Care Grant?

Bloodheart

I've been told I should try to apply for a Community Care Grant - but I'm not sure if I'd stand a chance of getting the grant.

The situation is this - unemployed claiming income based JSA for two years, never asked for a grant previously, and I need a new bed...

...basically I was homeless for a few years, about one year before loosing my job, so all my furniture is second-hand, the bed has broken (currently being held up by boxes) and the mattress is so old it's jabbing into me - this seriously effects sleep and strains neck and back.

I have long-term sleeping problems, and a serious (but undiagnosed) health problem where I have daily headaches and/or migraines along with 'attacks' similar to minor strokes - the lack of sleep and strain on my neck triggers off this health problem.

I'm applying for a bed and mattress (king-size), bedding, also curtains for bedroom and living room as curtains in living room are torn (were there when I moved in) and in the bedroom I need black-out blinds for when I'm ill. It comes to a little over £300 - I think this is reasonable, I tried to go for the very cheapest options, but I'm still worried it's too much.

The Community Care Grant seems to be more like something for people with disabilities or for people who have maybe been homeless or lost their home in a fire. I'm worried I'm not a desperate enough case (gosh, how pathetic does that sound), that because my health problem is not officially diagnosed or due to cost they won't give it to me.


I've also been told I should apply for a Budgeting Loan.
I'd like to avoid this as I'm already going to loose money from my JSA from having to go on Fuel Direct, but should I apply for this too? If done at the same time as applying for the Community Care Grant will they try to give me the loan option instead?

Job Centre has been no help with any of this, so I'm confused and feeling pretty desperate.

AsknAnswer2

Community Care Grants are for :

• help people establish in the community following a stay in institution or care home in which they received care
• help people remain in the community rather than enter an institution or care home in which they will receive care
• ease exceptional pressures on people and their families
• help people set up home in the community, as part of a planned resettlement programme, following an unsettled way of life
• help people to care for a prisoner or young offender on release on temporary licence, or
• help people with expenses to make certain journeys such as attending a relative’s funeral or visiting someone who is ill.

Out of interest, is there a specific reason why do you need a king size bed?

Bloodheart

King size bed as my partner is on the large side, double isn't big enough.

Breast_Cancer_Survivor

Who is eligible?

You can apply for a Community Care Grant if you are either:

• already getting Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Pension Credit, or payment on account of one of these benefits
• likely to start getting one of these benefits within the next six weeks because you're moving out of care

and any one of the following applies:

• you're moving out of residential or institutional care to live independently
• you're moving to a new home which will be more suitable for you following an unsettled period in your life and are being resettled by an organisation like a local council or voluntary organisation
• you need help to stay in your home and not go into residential care or hospital
• you need help because you and your family face exceptional pressure, such as family breakdown or because one of you has a long-term illness
• you look after someone who is ill or disabled, or has been released from custody on temporary licence
• you need help with expenses such as visiting someone who is ill, or to attend a relative's funeral

I recently received one to buy furniture after moving house, they usually give you alot less than you ask for but it's better than nothing especially since you don't have to pay it back.

It's woth applying for as they can only say no, you can download the forms off the website.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Caringforsomeone/DG_10018921

Richard1075

I wouldn't have thought that you were eligible for a Community Care Grant but there is no harm in applying.

I know that the Social Fund only has a small amount of money available and it seems a lottery if you can get any help even if you fill all of the criteria.

Would you be able to afford to repay a Budgeting Loan?

Equally, there are normally places locally who can help with second hand furniture either as a gift or at a nominal charge.

There are also adverts in the local papers where people are getting rid of items and will giv it to you - all you need to do is go and collect.

KeaneFan10

Bloodheart wrote: »

I've been told I should try to apply for a Community Care Grant - but I'm not sure if I'd stand a chance of getting the grant.

The situation is this - unemployed claiming income based JSA for two years, never asked for a grant previously, and I need a new bed...

...basically I was homeless for a few years, about one year before loosing my job, so all my furniture is second-hand, the bed has broken (currently being held up by boxes) and the mattress is so old it's jabbing into me - this seriously effects sleep and strains neck and back.

I have long-term sleeping problems, and a serious (but undiagnosed) health problem where I have daily headaches and/or migraines along with 'attacks' similar to minor strokes - the lack of sleep and strain on my neck triggers off this health problem.

I'm applying for a bed and mattress (king-size), bedding, also curtains for bedroom and living room as curtains in living room are torn (were there when I moved in) and in the bedroom I need black-out blinds for when I'm ill. It comes to a little over £300 - I think this is reasonable, I tried to go for the very cheapest options, but I'm still worried it's too much.

The Community Care Grant seems to be more like something for people with disabilities or for people who have maybe been homeless or lost their home in a fire. I'm worried I'm not a desperate enough case (gosh, how pathetic does that sound), that because my health problem is not officially diagnosed or due to cost they won't give it to me.


I've also been told I should apply for a Budgeting Loan.
I'd like to avoid this as I'm already going to loose money from my JSA from having to go on Fuel Direct, but should I apply for this too? If done at the same time as applying for the Community Care Grant will they try to give me the loan option instead?

Job Centre has been no help with any of this, so I'm confused and feeling pretty desperate.

You wont be able to get the community care grant, i was able to have one once simply because my son is disabled, you will be able to get a budgeting loan but as you know it had to be paid back.

DaisyFlower

Bloodheart wrote: »

King size bed as my partner is on the large side, double isn't big enough.

Your other posts say your partner earns £16k so surely he can help with the cost of a new bed that he is sleeping in? Unsure as to how you get income based JSA when he is working on that salary.

hannahO_2

DaisyFlower wrote: »

Your other posts say your partner earns £16k so surely he can help with the cost of a new bed that he is sleeping in? Unsure as to how you get income based JSA when he is working on that salary.

She probably hasn't told JC yet

tea690

i was i a worse situation than you and was advised to claim and did not get it...applied for budgeting loan and was accepted....you could try freecycle/ freegle

most of our furniture is from there and its great

loveangel88

Bloodheart wrote: »

I have long-term sleeping problems, and a serious (but undiagnosed) health problem where I have daily headaches and/or migraines along with 'attacks' similar to minor strokes - the lack of sleep and strain on my neck triggers off this health problem.

nothing to do with the grants as such but your 'attacks' sound like migraine with aura, its like having a stroke, does 1 side of your body go numb and pins/needles? face droopy? then you get the awful migraine after? if so it sounds like that i suffer from them myself. Ask your doctor if it could be this, there is medication availbale for it, but obviously you need to see a doctor and be properly diagnosed 1st
the medication for it, is amazing it makes such a difference, dont suffer in pain

hope this helps you r.e health x