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
Inconsistencies/ Reason to doubt Ms C applied for a crisis grant for food and living expenses April 2018 Upheld
Risk of care qualifying criterion Mr C applied for a community care grant in order to obtain a new electric cooker April 2018 Not upheld
When applicants incur detriment sourcing items themselves Ms C applied to the council for a community care grant for a living room carpet March 2018 Upheld
Homelessness qualifying criterion Mr C applied for a community care grant in order to obtain household items such as white goods, a bed and furnishings March 2018 Not upheld
Clothing Mr C made an application for a community care grant to purchase clothing February 2018 Not upheld
Medical exclusion Ms C applied for a Community Care Grant for an electric rise and recline chair, a washing machine, underwear and bedding February 2018 Upheld
Low income Mr C applied to the council for a crisis grant February 2018 Not upheld
Exceptional circumstances for crisis grants Mr C applied to the council for a crisis grant February 2018 Upheld
Travel expenses/ funeral costs Mr C applied to the council for a crisis grant for travelling expenses February 2018 Not upheld
Lost money Ms C applied for food and living expenses having lost her bag containing the majority of her benefits income February 2018 Not upheld