Example
Mr C requested an independent review of the council's decision on his crisis grant application. He had been out of work due to ill health, was homeless, and did not have any money for food and essentials following a relationship breakdown.
The council declined Mr C's application on the basis that his application had been made within 28 days of a previous application. The guidance states that an application made within 28 days of a previous application need not be considered if there has not been a relevant change in circumstances. The council assessed that there had been no relevant change in Mr C's circumstances, therefore did not progress his application beyond the eligibility stage. They upheld the decision at first tier.
Mr C asked SPSO for an independent review. We considered the facts and circumstances of the case and spoke with the applicant for further information. We found that although the applicant’s claim history covered a period of difficulty following the beginning of a relationship breakdown, and the subsequent impact of his mental health on his ability to work, the current application centred on the applicant’s return to work on a specific date. The applicant also described a significant improvement in his mental health after starting treatment. On this basis, we deemed that the applicant had experienced a relevant change in circumstances (s6.1 of SWF guidance). However, as the applicant had already received four awards in 12 months we also had to consider whether the circumstances were exceptional (covered in s7.23 of the guidance). We found that while not every application in his application history matched the circumstances of his new application, several of his previous applications were related to lack of income due to stopping and starting work due to ill health. We therefore considered that the circumstances were not exceptional compared to previous awards and did not uphold the review request.