Community Care Grant - Desperate

sniggings

benefitbaby wrote: »

In my opinion this should be only considered once the CCG review process has been exhausted, as a CL adds debt to an already strained situation.

I agree but as he has been turned down I think it is worth mentioning a crisis loan, as not having a cooker, bed or fridge etc is not good, I think the most they pay back a week is £8 for the loan out of their benefits, which is better than other forms of debt as they are interest free.

Edit, sorry I think they are called budgeting loans

saving_pennies

When I applied for social funding I only got few of the items I asked for however I did appeal and get further assistance. So it is worth appealing!

I agree that you need to change the qualifying criteria from setting up home for first time, "to moving to a home that will be more suitable ...."

It might be worth rewording the paragraph that starts: "All the items that were provided to me ...." to something like "Whilst living at the hostel, the hostel provided basic living equipment such as bed, fridge, cooker etc. and I did not own these items and so do not have any essential items to furnish my flat.

It is worth acknowledging that you realise the social fund is limited and receives many applications.

I would add something along the lines of: you can see from the supporting letter than I have committed to improving my life and becoming resettled in the community. I am currently studying to improve job opportunities and actively looking for work (only add it this is true), however at the moment my only income is JSA and I have no savings in which to fund essential living items. I would therefore appreciate you reconsidering my application and offering at least some some financial assistance towards the essential items.

I would suggest those to prioritise which items are more important. For example, I would say a bed, cooker, fridge and washing machine are more important.

I know it is possible for support workers to contact charities on your behalf for some items, e.g. glasspool for white goods (I got a washing machine including fitting from glasspool). Other charities and sources of assistance can be found by searching turn2us.org.uk

I know you can apply for a budgeting loan from the social fund which can be paid back with no interest. I wonder if this is an option for all or some of the items? http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018905

dreamylittledream

sniggings wrote: »

I'm surprised he has been refused but I would think a crisis loan would be a lot easier to get as you have to pay those back.

He won't get a crisis loan for household items since the law was changed to prohibit payments to anyone who has not been the victim of a disaster (fire/flood etc).

Planned resettlement programme if always a contentious part of the direction - IRS will probably pay him though...

sniggings

dreamylittledream wrote: »

He won't get a crisis loan for household items since the law was changed to prohibit payments to anyone who has not been the victim of a disaster (fire/flood etc).

Planned resettlement programme if always a contentious part of the direction - IRS will probably pay him though...

if you check my post after that one you quoted, I state I was wrong calling it a crisis loan and should have said budgeting loan.

Pippin12

You need to spell out that you're in one of the specified groups that CCG helps, so write specifically the following so there can be no mistake - 'I'm moving to a new home which will be more suitable for me following an unsettled period in my life and I am being resettled by a voluntary organisation. In addition I am in receipt of income based JSA'.

iSlideOnItConstance

You have all been most helpful My brother completed the review letter. I will update this thread in a week or so, hopefully the outcome will be positive

LadyDee

Have you tried looking for/asking for items on Freecycle?

dandelionclock30

They tend to knock a lot of aplications back first and then the claimant gets the grant on appeal.Thats how they seem to work.
I would say that he probably wont get it all and definatley not for a doubled bed if hes a single person. You definatley wont get those amounts as they are too high for the goods.They will go for the lowest possible price of the item not the highest.
Like Pippin says you have to spell out how you hit the criteria.

lolly_896

iSlideOnItConstance wrote: »

• 1 Double Bed + Bed Frame £149.99.
• Wardrobe - £89.99
• Chest of Drawers x2 - £59.99
• Cooker - £189.99
• Fridge – 159.99
• Washing Machine - £179.99
• Curtains - £69.99
• Microwave - £42
• Table & Chairs - £ 99.99
• Kettle - £ 25
• Toaster - £25
• Carpet/Flooring £500

Do they take into account realistic prices? Kettles and Toasters are just over £5 each in big supermarkets, Microwaves are £30, Carpet can be sourced cheaply brand new from ebay for £2.99 a square metre.

LadyDee

On my local Freecycle in the last week there has been every one of the items offered that you are looking for - including a huge Wilton carpet!