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
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
Ongoing need C applied for money for food and utilities because their Universal Credit had been sanctioned for the last two months. October 2025 Upheld
Calculation of award C applied for money for food as they had spent their income on bills and debts. October 2025 Upheld
Calculation of award C’s representative applied for money for food and utilities after a delay in extending their immigration status had led to C’s family losing their right to work and access to public funds. October 2025 Upheld
Calculation of award C applied for money for food, toiletries, bus fares and clothing. October 2025 Upheld
Resident within the local authority area C applied for money for food and utilities because they had incurred costs travelling to another local authority area to support a seriously ill family member. October 2025 Upheld
Low income C applied for a Crisis Grant for support with living costs after facing additional expenses related to visiting a friend in hospital and being involved in a car accident. September 2025 Not upheld
Reconsideration (applicant request) C applied for a Crisis Grant for living costs, stating that they had no income. September 2025 Not upheld
High most compelling priority rating C applied for a Community Care Grant to help set up their tenancy after experiencing homelessness, having recently arrived in the UK as a refugee. September 2025 Upheld