community care grant

CKhalvashi

fairy.fly wrote: »

After a period of living on the streets i got a private flat i've applied for a community care grant as the flat is unfurnished how long should i wait for the decision its now been 10 days since i applied.

I'm claiming JSA and claiming housing benefit to cover the rent. I've tried to contact the social fund on 0845 6036167 but all i get is an engaged tone. Does anyone have another number for the community care grant enquires.

any advice welcome

It could be anything upto 28 days.

If you don’t get what you need, appeal. This normally works best.

wiccanlou

If you are unsuccessful you could try for a budgeting loan instead which is form SF500 from the job centre or printable from the link below.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/claimforms/sf500_print.pdf

recoverydust

Apply again
They use the Argos catalogues for guide prices
you wont get carpet
you may get curtains
you may get a washing machine or a fridge
you should get a cooker
you should get table chair easy chair bed drawers
iron and board
bedding
essential crockery, cutlery and pans
kettle

we applied and got £750, which was less than we asked for but really rather nice and got us essentials
it took 6 weeks
during which time we slept on a lilo, found a tv by the bins, grabbed a table out of a skip and scoured the cheapest second hand shops
we also said hello to the neighbours and gained a chair
Congratulations - its really daunting isn't it? setting up from nothing
If you can get any help from any of the "resettlement" or homeless charities it can make a real difference
we were referred by one to a church charity for a microwave while we waited for a cooker- and it was new!
the best of luck

recoverydust

we also put a cheeky "wanted " notice in the local shop and got crockery and bedding

AsknAnswer2

fairy.fly wrote: »

i applied for JSA on the 27th of january i sent the CCG form on monday the 30th january. I was told when i contacted JSA that it was backdated to when i applied on the 27th which has been confirmed. I will get my first jsa payment tomorrow a processor has just phoned back with the details regarding this.

The CCG letter with the refusal was sent on febuary 6th but its sent 2nd class post i still think 4 days is excessive even for 2nd class and why not 1st ? I understand the criteria has to be met but my housing adviser told me i should get it no problem whether its for the full amount or just a fraction was the only problem.

I'm not saying that you won't get it - I just wanted you to be aware that qualifying benefit is not the only criteria as was indicated by the person you spoke to on the telephone, who also didn't seem to understand that a CCG carries no appeal rights.

As the JSA dates are confirmed and cover the CCG application date, ask for a review (not an appeal, you cannot appeal a CCG) on the grounds that you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit - I'm assuming the JSA is income based. You need to ask for a review in writing and within one month of the decision. You don't need to complete a whole new application if the JSA has been backdated.

They are not allowed to send out 1st class anymore, due to excessive costs. 2nd class mail takes between 3-5 working days for delivery according to the Royal Mail website so to get it within 4 days would be about right.

Hopefully you will get a positive response to the review - please post when you get an outcome, it would be nice to see the outcome, more so if it is positive.

fairy.fly

I will update the post once i know whats happening. Its friday and still no sign of the original refusal so i'm waiting for that before asking for a review. 2 weeks sleeping on a single duvet albeit i do have a double to wrap myself in. i'm having lots of tea and hot drinks. I'm having problems with the company that supplies my gas and electricity its taken them 8 days to send me things i need for the prepayment metre i'm not a happy bunny.

CKhalvashi

fairy.fly wrote: »

I will update the post once i know whats happening. Its friday and still no sign of the original refusal so i'm waiting for that before asking for a review. 2 weeks sleeping on a single duvet albeit i do have a double to wrap myself in. i'm having lots of tea and hot drinks. I'm having problems with the company that supplies my gas and electricity its taken them 8 days to send me things i need for the prepayment metre i'm not a happy bunny.

Go to the local council offices and speak to the councillor for homelessness, who is largely independent of the council (and elected), and he/she should be able to give it a push!

I’m one of two for my district, and it’s often that when people turn to us, we can get something done quickly.

fairy.fly

i had to write to the DWP as i didn't receive an initial refusal letter. I've done this and now saturday 26th i've had another refusal letter saying i didn't satisfy the qualifying conditions. They have said i can appeal to the IRS but am i just going to get rejected again. I'm coming upto my fifth week where i'm still sleeping on the floor with a duvet and a pillow. all i have is a washing machine and a cooker nothing else My clothes are on the bedroom floor. I'm not exactly sure what i do from here. My housing case has been closed beause i now have accomodation. When i went through the homeless team and they were giving me options where i was to live they did tell me not to worry if the house/flat didn't have everything as i would be able to get it via the social fund with a community care grant obviously this was wrong and i don't qualify. should i appeal to the IRS or perhaps apply for a crisis loan ?

BigAunty

How did you get on with Freecycle then as Cattie suggested a fortnight ago?

If not freecycle, then similar sites like Freegle or freeshare, Gumtree freebies? A local furniture charity that either donates or sells very cheaply basic furniture and household goods? Any British Heart foundation or Emmaus or similar organisations in your area?

Have you put up any ads put on local windows or newspapers or posted online in community websites?

My local recycling online sites allow multiple requests from those who have moved into new properties (sometimes these sites ration 'wanted' ads because of the amount of traffic this generates but my local websites encourage them for people in your situation).

fairy.fly

Hi when i've looked on freecycle and freegle there were no beds or sofas available i would have to arrange my own transport as i don't drive and funds are very limited i can't do this. The only benefit i get is 135 Jsa after food electricity gas water and transport to and from the Jobcentre and for potential job interviews theres not much left over for big items such as beds sofas fridge wardrobes. There are charity shops but your talking about nearly 90 pounds just for a single bed from the heart foundation. I don't think sleeping on the floor is doing much for my health i still have my cough and cold i had previously. so you don't think its the right option to appeal to the IRS or apply for a crisis loan i'm not sure how long i can continue sleeping on the floor i'm only getting several hours sleep a night and i'm no spring chicken :-(