Example
Mr C applied for a community care grant in order to obtain household items such as white goods, a bed and furnishings. He had been sofa surfing for around 18 months and prior to that had lived with his mother. When their relationship broke down he had left home. The applicant suffered from anxiety and depression, and asthma.
The council refused to make an award on the basis that the applicant was not in receipt of tenancy sustainment support, noting that this is one of the conditions required to qualify under the homeless criteria as defined by the SWF Guidance. They upheld this decision at first tier.
Mr C applied to SPSO for an independent review. We agreed with the council’s assessment in relation to the homeless criteria as set out in section 8.13 of the guidance. Furthermore, while we recognised that the applicant faced pressures, we did not consider that these pressures could be said to be exceptional. We signposted the client to a source of welfare rights advice and tenancy sustainment support, which would useful in and of itself and could also potentially result in a successful community care grant application in the future.