Festive opening hours

We will close for the public holidays on Tuesday 24 December 2024 at 2.30pm, and remain closed for the public holidays between Christmas and New Year. 

However, we will open on 27, 30, and 31 December 2024 between 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm. During these times, we will prioritise reviews of crisis grant applications. If you wish to request a review of a community care grant application, you can do so online. Alternatively, you can call us on 3 January 2025, and we will assist you over the phone.

Our normal service will resume on 3 January 2025 at 10am.

Case study

  • Date:
    October 2022
  • Category:
    Self-Isolation Support Grant

Example

C asked for an independent review of the council’s decision. They had applied for a Self-Isolation Support Grant as they tested positive for COVID-19 and were required to self-isolate. As C worked in a warehouse, they were unable to work from home.

The council declined the initial application on the basis that Cs application overlapped a previous application they had been awarded for. C requested a first tier review, and included evidence that their first period of self-isolation had been adjusted by Test and Protect. However, the council did not change their original decision .

We reviewed the council’s case file and spoke with C for further information. We spoke to Test and Protect who confirmed that the two periods of self-isolation did not overlap. We verified that the remaining criteria was met and changed the council's decision, instructing them to award £500. This was on the basis that they had not taken into account evidence from C that supported their self-isolation dates. We also provided the council with feedback on their recording of decisions, and following of timescales.

Updated: October 19, 2022