Social Fund Rejection - Any Advice?

toocleverbyhalf

I have applied to the social fund 3 times this year as I desperately need to get my son a new bed & other essential household stuff. I receive IB, CTC and CB. Each time I've applied I've been turned down because I don't receive a qualifying benefit. This seems unfair as surely ESA is the new IB? I haven't been swapped over to ESA yet, so I see this as descrimination because that's not my fault, so this leaves me unable to apply for a budgeting loan, but I can get a community care grant for moving or a funeral. This seems crazy to me, but before I write asking for a reveiw, I just wanted to ask if anyone could clarify my position? I don't want to waste my time if asking for a reveiw won't get me anywhere.
Many thanks in advance

kelpie35

Have you tried freecycle in your area. You can get loads of furniture for free.

Hope you get what you need x

bobajob_1966

There is no point in asking for a review - you need to be in receipt of IS or income based ESA to qualify for a Budgeting Loan.

Adereterial

You're not entitled, and will not be until you're in receipt of a qualifying benefit.

You need to set aside some of your income each week and save for the items you need.

Oldernotwiser

IB isn't a means tested benefit, which is why you don't qualify.

Hammyman

CTC is for the costs of bringing up a child. You should be paying for their beds and clothing out of that. At £2500 per year per child, it is sufficient enough to.

Bumpmakesfour

toocleverbyhalf wrote: »

I have applied to the social fund 3 times this year as I desperately need to get my son a new bed & other essential household stuff. I receive IB, CTC and CB. Each time I've applied I've been turned down because I don't receive a qualifying benefit. This seems unfair as surely ESA is the new IB? I haven't been swapped over to ESA yet, so I see this as descrimination because that's not my fault, so this leaves me unable to apply for a budgeting loan, but I can get a community care grant for moving or a funeral. This seems crazy to me, but before I write asking for a reveiw, I just wanted to ask if anyone could clarify my position? I don't want to waste my time if asking for a reveiw won't get me anywhere.
Many thanks in advance

Can I ask a question that might seem really obvious?Why do you keep applying for something when you know you're not in receipt of a qualifying benefit at present even if it may change in the future?Can't make sense of why you'd do that?:o

karenx

You can get kids beds from about £50 in argos etc, save £10 a week. Sorted

FBaby

Surely if you've applied three times and during that time you haven't been able to save for the bed, how would you have afforded to pay back the loan? The last thing you want is to get into debts over a loan. Reconsider your budget and see how you can put the money aside, either to save, or repay a loan if you can get one from whichever source.

dr_who_3

There is not much point in putting in for a review while you are still only receiving IB as they would be unable to overturn the decision. In order to qualify for a Budgeting Loan you need to be in receipt of income support, pension credit, income related ESA or income based JSA at the time of the application.
You would also not be able to receive a Community Care grant for any reason (including moving or a funeral) as the rules regarding qualifying benefits are the same for these as for Budgeting loans.
When you have been moved over to ESA it would depend whether you receive Income Related or Contribution based as to whether you would then qualify.

saving_pennies

toocleverbyhalf wrote: »

so this leaves me unable to apply for a budgeting loan, but I can get a community care grant for moving or a funeral.

I am confused by your statement that you can get a community care grant but not budgeting loan. I thought the qualifying benefit for both was the same.

IF you can get a community care grant you can apply for a community care grant to cover essential household items.

If you don't meet there basic criteria, i.e. be in receipt of a qualifying benefit, then I doubt a review would overturn their orginial decision.

Alternatively, there ae charities that can provide essential household items. Do a search on turn2us.org.uk. Some charities you can approach directly, others you need to go via a professional such as a social worker or support worker. My support worker got me a brand new washing machine via a charity.

As others have said freecycle is a great place to look.