Example
C applied for money for food. They had spent more than usual on food as they were staying in temporary accommodation with no cooking facilities.
The council declined the application because C's temporary accommodation was within a neighbouring local authority area.
We reviewed the council’s file and corresponded with C. We noted that the guidance directs those in C's circumstances to apply to the council area that their temporary accommodation is in, rather than the council that they are registered as homeless with. Therefore, we did not change the council's decision.
Feedback for the council
- The council should have referred to the specific part of the guidance that addresses homeless people in temporary accommodation outwith the area they are registered in.