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:
    June 2024
  • Category:
    Crisis grant calculations

Example

C requested SPSO review the council's decision on their crisis grant application. They had recently made a new benefit application and had no income for living costs until the first payment was due. 

The council awarded £97.00 at the 'non-householder rate' to cover 25 days until C's first benefit payment. C asked the council to reconsider the amount, stating they were responsible for gas and electricity costs, but the council did not change the decision. 

We received the council's file and spoke with C. C explained that they live with their parents, who were abroad, leaving C and their sibling to pay the household bills. We determined that the council's use of the non-householder rate was appropriate. This was because C was not liable for the bills at the property as it was owned by C's parents. This is in line with section 7.24 of the guidance. We did not change the council's decision and did not identify any feedback for the council.

Updated: June 19, 2024