Awarded money from 'Social Fund'

cellbar

Hi

My son applied for a Community Care Grant and has been allocted funds from the Social Fund - he received a letter this morning - whilst its a wonderful surprise and much needed boost for his situation (its for furniture, cooker etc) does he have to supply receipts for what he buys, and does he have to buy what they have listed on the paperwork or does he have free reign with the funds?

There are no booklets or any additional info with the letter and I can't get through on the number to call and ask them and he needs to go get what he needs but wants to make sure he can just spend the money on what he wants and is not tied to what they list - just as an example, if they had put £50 for a table and he spent £45 or £55 would this be ok?

They have not asked for any paperwork or receipts or anything by return so whats the normal process?

Any advice greatly received.

pmlindyloo

The only information I can find is here:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dwp1007.pdf which says that they may ask for receipts for what the money is used for.

It would seem sensible to keep receipts for everything that is bought and also sensible only to buy what has been listed.

I should imagine that if there is a small difference in the price then it wouldn't be a problem.

As to whether receipts are actually asked for in each case then I am sorry but I have no experience to comment on this. Hope someone else can help.

However, it would be 'so*'s law for your son to be asked so I would make sure (as I am sure you will) that it is spent on the listed items.

richard9991

cellbar wrote: »

Hi

My son applied for a Community Care Grant and has been allocted funds from the Social Fund - he received a letter this morning - whilst its a wonderful surprise and much needed boost for his situation (its for furniture, cooker etc) does he have to supply receipts for what he buys, and does he have to buy what they have listed on the paperwork or does he have free reign with the funds?

There are no booklets or any additional info with the letter and I can't get through on the number to call and ask them and he needs to go get what he needs but wants to make sure he can just spend the money on what he wants and is not tied to what they list - just as an example, if they had put £50 for a table and he spent £45 or £55 would this be ok?

They have not asked for any paperwork or receipts or anything by return so whats the normal process?

Any advice greatly received.

no one is going to check up what he bought

miduck

richard9991 wrote: »

no one is going to check up what he bought

Whilst they do not check every claim, they do audit some claims and expect proof of purchase.

cellbar, the money has been granted for the items claimed for. Whilst they are not going to bother if you do not spend exactly the amounts quoted, they will expect you to buy everything you asked for and to use the money solely for that purpose.

cellbar

Thanks for replies - he does intend to use the money for what he has claimed for! They have altered some of the amounts themselves anwyay paying less for some things and more for others, but I just like to be safe with these kind of things as they can be a law unto themselves! If he is prudent with the funds and can stretech them a little, I take it he can purchase additional items as long as he keeps proof etc?

miduck

cellbar wrote: »

Thanks for replies - he does intend to use the money for what he has claimed for! They have altered some of the amounts themselves anwyay paying less for some things and more for others, but I just like to be safe with these kind of things as they can be a law unto themselves! If he is prudent with the funds and can stretech them a little, I take it he can purchase additional items as long as he keeps proof etc?

Strictly speaking he should not be using the money to buy other items, but it really depends on what they are - they are not going to object to you buying a kettle, they would object to you buying a super duper coffee maker - it is all a question of reasonableness. If in doubt, give them a call before making any additional purchases.

McKneff

Its always a good lesson to keep receipts anyway in case anything goes wrong with anything he has bought.

Now and in the future:D

Dunroamin

cellbar wrote: »

Thanks for replies - he does intend to use the money for what he has claimed for! They have altered some of the amounts themselves anwyay paying less for some things and more for others, but I just like to be safe with these kind of things as they can be a law unto themselves! If he is prudent with the funds and can stretech them a little, I take it he can purchase additional items as long as he keeps proof etc?

Of course, if he has money left over buying what he's asked for, he could always give it back.

harveybobbles

I've never known them to ask for proof.

If you put £50 for a table and spent £80. Then so be it. You could argue that the table had to be a certain size/shape to go where it needed and this pushed the price up.

You could keep reciepts, but there is nothing saying you bought the items 2nd hand from the local paper.

justlooking2012

There is about as much chance of them checking as there is of me winning the lottery

missapril75

justlooking2012 wrote: »

There is about as much chance of them checking as there is of me winning the lottery

That saved me contacting you about your winnings. More for me. :rotfl: