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
Where we have asked the council to reconsider the application Ms C applied for a community care grant for a number of household items. March 2020 Upheld
Decision making with limited information Ms C asked for an independent review of the council’s decision. February 2020 Upheld
Decision making with limited information Mr C applied for a community care grant for a number of household items. February 2020 Upheld
Overarching principle being used as the reason for decline Mr C asked for an independent review of the council's decision January 2020 Upheld
Definition of an emergency Ms C asked for an independent review of the council's decision. January 2020 Upheld
Entitlement to SWF for people from abroad Ms C asked for an independent review of the council’s decision. December 2019 Upheld
Entitlement to SWF for people from abroad Ms C applied for a crisis grant for assistance with living costs. December 2019 Upheld
Poor signposting Mr C asked for an independent review of the council’s decision. He had applied for a crisis grant for living expenses for his family. November 2019 Not upheld
Poor signposting Mr C asked for an independent review of the council’s decision. He had applied for a crisis grant as he spent his Universal Credit payment taking his cat to the vet and had no money until his next payment of benefit. November 2019 Not upheld
Decision making with limited information Mr C applied for a crisis grant for food and living expenses. October 2019 Upheld