Example
C asked the SPSO to review the council’s decision to refuse their application for a community care grant. C had applied for flooring for the living room, two bedrooms, and hall. They stated that they had a number of complex health conditions that were being exacerbated by the lack of flooring in these areas.
The council refused the application because C's partner was working and had other funds available. They did not change their decision at first tier review despite C noting that their partner had stopped working.
We received the council’s file and contacted C for additional information. C provided further information about their health conditions, and confirmed they had moved to be closer to family support and to access the pain management clinic. We assessed that the council’s decision to refuse the application was incorrect as they failed to take into account the change in circumstances that had occurred by first tier review.
We instructed the council to award all items requested and provided detailed feedback about their failure to follow the decision making process, failing to carry out a robust low income assessment, failing to consider the change of circumstances as part of the first tier review, and poor decision making records.