Festive closure 

Our office will be closed for the festive period from 25 December 2025 and will reopen on Monday 5 January 2026. 

We will be open on 29, 30 and 31 December between 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm. During these times, we will be focusing on handling reviews of crisis grants received due to the urgency of these 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 5 January 2026 and we can take your application over the phone.

Our normal service resumes on 5 January 2026 at 10am. 

Case summaries

Subject Month / Year Outcome
Calculation of award C applied for assistance with living costs after using their income to replace a mobile phone. December 2025 Not upheld
Resident within the local authority area C applied for money for food as they had a gap in their income due to starting a new job. December 2025 Upheld
Consideration of children’s rights C applied for a community care grant for laminate flooring in a bedroom. December 2025 Upheld
Clothing C applied for a community care grant after a relationship breakdown forced them into homeless accommodation. December 2025 Upheld
Resident within the local authority area C requested an independent review of the council's decision on their crisis grant application. December 2025 Upheld
Meeting the need C applied for a washing machine, clothing, and study items including a desk, chair, and lamp. December 2025 Not upheld
Low income C applied for assistance with living costs after a recent relationship breakdown. December 2025 Upheld
Exceptional circumstances for crisis grants C applied for assistance with food and utilities after an income payment was sent to a closed bank account meaning they could not access it. November 2025 Upheld
Incorrect interpretation of available information C applied for help with food and utilities after using all their savings to cover travel costs following the death of a parent. November 2025 Upheld
Calculation of award The council declined the application as C had received a previous award in 28 days that had not lasted the award period. November 2025 Upheld