socialfundadvice

Applying for Social Fund Community Care Grants

Background
We are not allowed to replace statutory funding. If your client is potentially eligible for a Community Care Grant (CCG) from the Social Fund, you must apply for it before applying to us for items such as household goods, furnishings or clothing.

We will ask for evidence of the outcome of your client’s CCG application before considering an application on behalf of your client.

Is your client/patient/service user entitled?
Individuals are potentially eligible for a CCG if they are in receipt of

Income Support
Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income Based) or
Pension Credit

We advise against Community Care Loans. We do NOT encourage people in financial need to accept loans.

If your client is offered a loan in lieu of a grant, please suggest that they refuse it so that they do not incur debt (or further debt) unnecessarily.

Instead, please do apply to us if your client’s CCG application is not successful, or only partially successful (that is, some items are approved and others are not). We could consider an application for the same item(s) only as long as a copy of the CCG award/refusal letter accompanies the application.

Tips for making a successful application for a Social Fund Community Care Grant

We have prepared the following guidance notes to dispel some myths about Community Care Grants and to help you in filling in the application form. These notes represent the understanding and views of The Lambeth Endowed Charities. They should not be treated as an authoritative statement of the law or as a substitute for speaking with an advice worker.

Community Care Grant Myths

You cannot have a Community Care Grant because you have had one before: not true

You cannot have a Community Care Grant for the same item(s) for which you have applied previously: not true if you can show you have had a relevant change of circumstances or as long as 26 weeks have passed since your last application

You cannot have a Community Care Grant because you have had a budgeting loan in the past or are currently paying one off: not true

You cannot have a Community Care Grant because you have not been on benefits long enough: not true

No funds are available: this is probably not true – ask to have this information in writing

Advice on Applying

If your clients are in receipt of Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income Based) or Pension Credit, they may be able to get a Community Care Grant for a number of reasons, including -

they are moving to a new home or
they need help to stay in their own home or
the family is having very difficult problems

Please see the front page of the application form for a complete list of the reasons.

If they or a member of their family has -

a physical or mental health problem
a disability
been a victim of violence
been homeless or in care
had a bereavement
been going through separation, divorce, crisis or family breakdown
been dealing with an unforeseen disaster such as fire or flood

You must be as clear as possible about this on the CCG application form.

In your application to the Social Fund you must explain the risks to the individual or family if they do not have the items that you are requesting. If it could mean losing their home or the applicant or a family member having to go into care, then say so.

Some examples

Example 1
Do not simply say that they need a washing machine. Explain why they cannot use the launderette (e.g. they cannot afford bus fares or they do not have any childcare for their young children or their health condition or disability will not allow them to carry the laundry or wash by hand). Explain what has happened to the previous washing machine and any difficulties that they have had coping without a washing machine.

Example 2
Do not simply say that they need a fridge. Explain why they cannot shop on a daily basis. Explain, if appropriate, the negative consequences for existing health conditions if the individual or family do not have fresh food everyday. Explain, if appropriate, the risk of the applicant or a member of the family going into care if they do not eat properly.

Example 3
Do not simply say that they need curtains. Give room-by-room measurements and costs. Explain why curtains are necessary for each of the rooms. Discuss any security fears if others are able to look in, the right to privacy, ongoing or past experience of any violence (domestic, racial etc).

Remember
Ask yourself if you have made a complete and convincing argument for why help is needed before sending in your form. Stating the need is not enough. You need to explain the reasons for it and the consequences if your client does not get help.

If appropriate, get help from an advice worker who has experience with Social Fund applications. The Lambeth Endowed Charities continue to monitor and develop our Community Care Grant policy so please let us know how you get on. Email your experiences, comments and advice.

We are always interested
in hearing about your experience of seeking
Social Fund Community Care
Grants for your clients email us

"your guidance notes have helped me gain knowledge and skill in obtaining community care grants for my clients..."

External links

Community Care Grant application form (Government site/ PDF format)

'Grants and Funding' advice from DirectGov

..in your application to the Social Fund you must explain the risks to the individual or family if they do not have the items that you are requesting. If it could mean losing their home or the applicant or a family member having to go into care, then say so..