community care grant

missmontana

How long have you been on JSA? I'd say apply for a budgeting loan, they will give you money for a bed, sheets, pillows, duvet and covers and towels.
Also any kitchen items you may need, utensils, plates, pots and pans.

Is there a Salvation Army near you? they may have a scheme to help.

You could look on Gumtree or place a wanted ad yourself, I've given stuff away before on there when having a clear out, everyone will be doing spring cleans now!

fairy.fly

Hi missmontana i've only been on jsa for afew weeks so i don't think i qualify for a budget loan. before that i was homeless i was advised by the housing officer that i shouldn't be worried about whats in the flat/house as i would be able to get some things via the CCG i wish i hadn't listened to them now. I don't think i actually asked for that much and didn't expect the full amount but assumed i'd get something for essentials bed storage ect. How they expect someone to look for work when they are getting only 2-3 hrs sleep per day and look dreadful is unfathomable. i think i'll try the putting an ad on gumtree but without transport im not sure how easy this will be.

I suppose i'll have to start trying to save from the 135 i'm getting. My diet is very poor as i don't have a fridge i'm having the same food each day. sorry for the moaning reply

shegirl

fairy.fly wrote: »

Hi missmontana i've only been on jsa for afew weeks so i don't think i qualify for a budget loan. before that i was homeless i was advised by the housing officer that i shouldn't be worried about whats in the flat/house as i would be able to get some things via the CCG i wish i hadn't listened to them now. I don't think i actually asked for that much and didn't expect the full amount but assumed i'd get something for essentials bed storage ect. How they expect someone to look for work when they are getting only 2-3 hrs sleep per day and look dreadful is unfathomable. i think i'll try the putting an ad on gumtree but without transport im not sure how easy this will be.

I suppose i'll have to start trying to save from the 135 i'm getting. My diet is very poor as i don't have a fridge i'm having the same food each day. sorry for the moaning reply

Can you not reapply for a community care grant now that you are on qualifying benefits?

There will be charities that may help.

Keep checking out freecycle.

Check out selling and free pages on facebook.

fairy.fly

Hi could someone who knows about CCG or a crisis loan tell me if i should qualify for one. Before i moved into this flat i was homeless i went through the homeless team at my local authority i got a flat late last month. i have the rent payed for by housing benefit. When the DWP replied with the application outcome they said i didn't meet the qualifying conditons. But it does include the condition of - to cope with exceptional pressure on themselves and their families does homelessness cover this ? it does include a homeless option but i would have had to have gone through a resettlement programme which i haven't.

fairy.fly

shegirl wrote: »

Can you not reapply for a community care grant now that you are on qualifying benefits?

There will be charities that may help.

Keep checking out freecycle.

Check out selling and free pages on facebook.

The original refusal was because i wasn't on a qualifying benefit but this was a mistake by the social fund or the JSA system. I asked for it to be re considered which they did and i got a reply yesterday saying i was refused because i didn't qualify because i didnt meet the conditions.

i will be looking on freecycle and others and adding posts but i don't want to rule out an appeal to the IRS if people think it might be overturned.

pmlindyloo

I would take all your paperwork about the Community Care grant and visit CAB. It may be that you are better off applying for a budgeting loan.

One of the problems is that these grants and loans are available through the Social Fund and your local authority may not have any money left in their fund.

CAB should also be able to help regarding charities who could help with furniture etc.

fairy.fly

well if thats reason i'd rather they say that than saying i don't qualify i don't think a budget loan is available to me as i haven't been on benefits for more than 26 weeks. I think its either a CCG or a crisis loan.

pmlindyloo

fairy.fly wrote: »

well if thats reason i'd rather they say that than saying i don't qualify i don't think a budget loan is available to me as i haven't been on benefits for more than 26 weeks. I think its either a CCG or a crisis loan.

This may not be the reason. Reading back my message I should have worded it better. I'll try again

Because of the limited supply of money the eligibility criteria are very strictly applied.

If you have already asked for a review and have been turned down then you could go to the Independent Review Service. I would suggest you get help to do this (CAB?)

However, I agree that you would not be eligible for a budgeting loan.

You may be eligible for a crisis loan. Again I would get help with applying for this.

The area I live in has charities which supply items of furniture free for those in need.

Have you tried googling 'charities supplying furniture in ..........'?

I repeat, CAB should have a list of such charities.

Good luck!

Whiteknight

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

fairy.fly wrote:

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 ?

You have mentioned once or twice that you were homeless prior to getting your own place to live and I can understand that you might feel that you need to furnish it all straight away. I don't know how long you had lived on the streets but surely a duvet on the floor is a much better that sleeping on a park bench.

Others have suggested sites such as Freecycle or checking out charities local to yourself and it appears that you would much rather get the community care grant.

What exactly do you need the community care grant for - What do you really need to buy and how much do you think you would need?

You mention you are getting JSA and I would assume help towards your rent and council tax so why are you unable to save up to buy these essential items you obviously need?

fairy.fly

Whiteknight wrote: »

You have mentioned once or twice that you were homeless prior to getting your own place to live and I can understand that you might feel that you need to furnish it all straight away. I don't know how long you had lived on the streets but surely a duvet on the floor is a much better that sleeping on a park bench.

Others have suggested sites such as Freecycle or checking out charities local to yourself and it appears that you would much rather get the community care grant.

What exactly do you need the community care grant for - What do you really need to buy and how much do you think you would need?

You mention you are getting JSA and I would assume help towards your rent and council tax so why are you unable to save up to buy these essential items you obviously need?

well where do i start white knight good screename btw

"surely a duvet on the floor is a much better that sleeping on a park bench"

Sleep on a floor for 5 weeks with just a duvet and a pillow and you might give a different answer.

"Others have suggested sites such as Freecycle or checking out charities local to yourself and it appears that you would much rather get the community care grant"

I've looked on freecycle and local charities but all the ones i've looked at need me to pick up the items which i can't do with no transport or pay for delivery

"What exactly do you need the community care grant for - What do you really need to buy and how much do you think you would need"

I have a cooker and a washer i have 2 cups a kettle one plate and a knife and fork thats it and i mean thats it. When i filled in the CCG application i put down 800 i didn't ask for everything just a bed storage sofa fridge cooking utensils hoover curtains etc. I didn't expect to get everything but hoped i'd get at least enough to get a bed.

"You mention you are getting JSA and I would assume help towards your rent and council tax so why are you unable to save up to buy these essential items you obviously need?"

i get my housing and council tax jsa is 135 every two weeks. i've had one payment of 135 so far. electricity gas water food transport . transport alone is 15 pounds per week to get to and from the jobcentre along with any potential job interviews i get. gas and electricity are ten pounds each per week and thats being very strict with myself regarding heat and having hot food. add in food and water my diet is quite poor but i do buy fruit i eat an apple and banana each day.
so how much out of the 6750 per week would you suggest i should be able to save white knight ?