Example
C applied for a community care grant for clothing after gaining a significant amount of weight while in prison. They advised they only had very limited clothing.
The council declined the application, stating that the clothing request did not meet their priority rating of 'high most compelling' as C had some items that they could wear.
We reviewed the council's file and spoke with C. We considered the very limited items available to C were not sufficient to enable C to re-establish themselves in the community or to maintain reasonable hygiene. We therefore considered that some items of clothing met 'high most compelling' and should be awarded.
Recommendations
- We instructed the council to award £85 to cover the cost of two pairs of bottoms, a jacket, a pair of shoes, socks and underwear and a warm top or jumper to supplement the limited items C already had.
Feedback for the council
- Awards of clothing can be awarded at high most compelling if the applicant does not have sufficient garments to manage day to day and maintain basic hygiene
We asked the organisation to provide us with confirmation that the award was made within one week