Example
Mr A applied for a crisis grant as he was waiting on a Tax Credits appeal. As a result of this he had no money for food or electricity for him and his family. They were living in temporary homeless accommodation.
The council considered the application and made an award of £442.00 at initial stage. This award was based on information he provided about his weekly food and electric costs. The award also included travel costs as Mr A had advised his three children attend different schools. The council advised this award was for a period of 14 days. Mr A contacted the council 17 days later, he advised that the award had been spent and he was still in a crisis. He advised he has no update regarding his benefit appeal. The council considered this review request and made an additional award of £310.00. This amount was for food and electricity costs only for a period of 14 days.
Mr A asked us for an independent review, we received the file from the council and spoke with Mr A. He confirmed the appeal regarding tax credits was still ongoing and he has no date when this will be reinstated. We assessed the initial award the council made was reasonable based on the information he provided regarding his family’s living expenses. We noted the council used their discretion at first tier and made an additional award for 14 days. We assessed that the amounts Mr A had received were higher than the SWF guidance suggests (covered in s7.24 of the guidance) and so did not change the council’s decision. We provided feedback to the council regarding their decision letters as did not assess they contained the necessary information.