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:
    April 2023
  • Category:
    Clothing

Example

C requested an independent review of the council's decision on their community care grant application. C applied for money for clothing after gaining weight in prison.

The council declined the application on the basis that C had served a few days less than the minimum qualifying period of three months. C requested a first tier review but they did not change their decision.

We reviewed the council's file and spoke with C. C advised they were released a few days early due to the Christmas holidays. We noted that although the minimum qualifying time served is three months, the guidance does advise discretion where there is a only a few days difference. We considered this approach would have been appropriate, and changed the council's decision. We instructed them to award £95 for clothing (based on current supermarket clothing prices).

Updated: April 18, 2023