Example
C applied for a Crisis Grant, advising that they were planning to move to Scotland from Ireland. They requested support for when they arrived, as they expected to be subject to a habitual residence test which could delay access to benefits.
The council contacted C to request further information about their circumstances. However, as C was not yet resident in the local authority area, the council determined that they did not meet the eligibility criteria. This decision was upheld at first tier review.
We reviewed the council’s file and contacted C. They provided details of where they intended to stay, and we were satisfied that they would be resident in the local authority area. However, we concluded that the application had been made in anticipation of future need, and that C was not in crisis at the time of applying. On this basis, we did not change the council’s decision.