Crisis Loans- Household Items

johnsons_baby

Hello,

I recently posted about my situation and being advised by the local council about means to furnishing our new home.

Basically, I left my ex due to domestic violence, basically only had the clothes I had on, my daughter and my car. I sold my car in order to fund myself and my daughter and we moved in with my Mum.

Our local council offered my daughter and I a house and we have got our keys now :T we've furnished it mainly from Freecycle, eBay and charity projects but we're missing a cooker and a fridge. The local furniture recycling project have offered us the two for £150 but we are clean out of money now. I spoke to the council who said a budgeting loan or crisis loan would give me the money.

I've not claimed IS for long enough for a budgeting loan and the adviser said I would be better off applying for a crisis loan, however, it's not really a crisis, as do have a microwave, so would I be eligible with a 10 month old and 8 months pregnant with #2?

I'm unsure about applying as I read that they don't cover cookers anymore? I've not borrowed from the social fund before now, so I don't know the protocol.

Someone else mentioned community care grant but my ex applied for one of those last year and was declined.

Any advice is appreciated. I obviously am aware the social fund has limited funds and needs to be repaid from benefits. Our council doesn't run a scheme anymore where by they give you some money and deduct it back like some councils do.

nannytone_2

crisis loans are only for immediate needs. food and gas/e;ectric for right now! budgeting loans are for household expenses. try freecycle./gumtree for furnishings

johnsons_baby

As my post says, I've already done that and managed all but fridge and cooker but 'thanks' for your post.....

Robbie64

If you have left the family home due to domestic violence you can claim a Community Care Grant. It's also a Social Fund payment but doesn't have to be paid back. I notice you said your ex claimed one last year but a decision takes into account all relevant circumstances including those where the circumstances have changed.

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

Savings over £500 will affect any payment you may receive.

Morlock

A budgeting loan is quite non-specific on the application form, and a cooker would be covered under 'household items' or similar.

A community care grant can be awarded for a cooker, but I don't think a fridge is classed as essential. I suggest applying for a community care grant (perhaps get some help from CAB to fill in the form), and if that is unsuccessful, apply for a budgeting loan.

Robbie64

Morlock wrote: »

A budgeting loan is quite non-specific on the application form, and a cooker would be covered under 'household items' or similar.

A community care grant can be awarded for a cooker, but I don't think a fridge is classed as essential. I suggest applying for a community care grant (perhaps get some help from CAB to fill in the form), and if that is unsuccessful, apply for a budgeting loan.

The OP says she hasn't been on IS long enough to qualify for a Budgeting Loan. She would need to have been on a qualifying benefit for 26 weeks to qualify for a Budgeting Loan. However if her ex partner has been claiming benefit she can make up the 26 weeks by adding together her time on IS and any time he has been on a means tested benefit (IS, JSA or ESA), so long as they add up to the past 26 weeks.

johnsons_baby

Just to clarify, I am on IS and have been for 20 weeks, so I don't meet the 26 week criteria for a budgeting loan, the advisor at budgeting loans said I would need to contact crisis loans and ask for household items.

My ex was on JSA for about 4 weeks December 2011-Jan 2012. He applied for a community care grant for a bed and wardrobe for his son who was supposed to come to live with us, I was on maternity allowance (DWP) then and then went on to IS at the end of that. I don't think MA is a means tested benefit so I don't think they'd add that to my IS time period.

I hate having to ask or look for handouts, I'd much rather earn my own money and I intend to go back into work in January, don't care what I do, as long as it pays me!

Our housing officer mentioned the crisis/budgeting loan to me and although I would prefer to wait on freecycle/gumtree, my baby is due in 2 weeks and I just want to be settled by then, we've had enough of living in Refuges and then with family.

missapril75

I think you missed my post at the end of your other thread.