Would it be worth applying for a CCG?

Denzal

My mother very recently died (about two weeks ago) and I am now looking after my sister who is 10 years old. I myself am 22 years old.

I have since come to live in my sister's/mother's house and I have found out that certain aspects are not really up to scratch. The cooker is broken, with the oven not working entirely and the rest working intermittently. I'm a semi-competent cook but the lack of a functioning cooker is putting a dampener on that.

Other basic stuff is also in bad repair, to the point where it's a miracle it's still functioning.

My sister herself is involved quite heavily with social services. The day of my mother's death she was put on the child protection register, and it is now my job to ensure she has a stable, safe environment to hopefully get her taken off. I really don't think this is possible given the circumstances of the house, and I myself am in no real position to fix stuff (I've been unemployed for a while and I'm claiming Income based JSA).

Obviously community care grants are for people in bad circumstances, and from my perspective it seems like we're in pretty bad circumstances.

Would it be worthwhile to even fill out the forms? I know the social fund can be pretty picky about what qualifies or not, and I'm not sure if our situation is dire enough for their particular tastes.

Many thanks for any advice

Tulip09

You need to speak to the social worker involved and ask about benefits etc you will be entitled to claim just now. You should be getting money for your sister also. If you dont want to see the soicial worker for help the CAB office will help you work out what you can claim for. Many years ago i got help in the form of a loan to buy a cooker, as i didnt have a microwave. There may also be charities etc in your area that many help you.

Sorry i cant be that much help, but i didnt want to read & run. There are some brilliant people on this board that will be along at some point to help you out more fully. Well done for stepping up for your sister & i hope everything works out for you.

dmg24

Whilst the items are working, albeit not at 100%, you are unlikely to get anything. Have you looked at Freecycle to see if you can get any of the items there, or perhaps you could see if any local furniture charities can provide help?

Wee_Willy_Harris

Your sisters SW should be your first port of call. S/he can help you apply for any grants/social loans available and provide letters of support etc. If that isn't possible, s/he may be aware of other avenues to explore. Freecycle is also a very good suggestion.

Denzal

Thanks for the advice. I just checked my local freecycle's yahoo group and to my amazement someone's giving away a gas cooker.

My sister's social worker is actually visiting tomorrow so I'll broach the subject to her then.

cattie

Check out this organisation to see if there is any grant or assistance you may be entitled to.http://www.familyfund.org.uk/

I'm sorry to hear that you recently lost your mother & you should feel very proud of yourself for trying to give your sister some stability in her life & only being 22yrs old. I hope all goes well for both of you in the future.

oldestrocker

Hi

For a start I can't help in any way, but I would like to wish you all the best of luck there is in the world for what you are doing. It must be traumatic to lose mum when you are both at such a young age. Most accept that losing people you love will only be when you get into your 50's +.

For such a young lady, you have a heart of gold to bring up your 10 yr old sister.

There is far too much predjudice about young people being useless and not taking life seriously enough. You are a shining example for all young people.

Take each day as it comes and you will get there in the end and you will be able to look back in years to come and be proud of yourself as I would believe your mum would be of you.

From one old codger - old enough to be your grandfather.

Denzal

Thank you for the kind words. Her death was very much unexpected and even this far in, past the funeral, I still don't think it's fully sunk in. At the moment life has been pretty hectic in keeping everything together and sorting out her affairs and making sure my sister's OK.

Thanks for the link to the family fund, but reading about it, it seems that it's only for disabled children. Fortunately my sister has no disabilities, so we wouldn't qualify.

I think in the circumstances talking to the social worker would probably be the best bet. She's helped me out a lot with certain things, and if that doesn't prove fruitful then maybe family will decide to help out.

paddedjohn

What area are you in? I do some voluntary work for a homeless charity, sourcing furniture and deliveries and stuff and may be able to help.
Is the house owned by you or is it rented?

NickyBat

I have found this for you, i hope it helps

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

• Income Support

• Jobseeker's Allowance

• Employment and Support Allowance (disabled people section)

• Pension Credit

How much do you get?

The amount you might get depends on your circumstances.

Effect of savings on awards

The amount of Community Care Grant you may get is reduced if you have savings of:

• over £500 where you and your partner are aged under 60
• over £1,000 where you and/or your partner are aged over 60

How it's paid

Jobcentre Plus will normally pay your grant into an account.
Your grant can be paid into the following types of account:

• a basic bank account
• a current account
• a Post Office® card account
• a building society account
• a credit union account

• Find out more about different types of bank accounts

Effect on other benefits

A Community Care Grant doesn't count as income and won't affect other benefits you may be getting.

dr_who_3

Taking into account your current circumstances it would definately be worth your while filling in the form.
Make sure to include as much information as possible about the items your require and your current circumstances. I would also advise that you get a supporting letter from the social worker involved supporting your need for specific items.
The Social Fund does have a fixed budget and depending on the area that you live in you may not get an award for everything you believe you need. They would however certainly help with the very basic items such as beds, clothing and a cooker if necessary.
If you have been on JSA (income based) for longer than 6 months you may also be eligible for a budgeting loan which would help with other items you need.
You should also make sure you are getting all of the other benefits you are entitled to such as Child Tax Credits and Child Benefit.

Good Luck