Example
Ms C applied for a crisis grant for assistance with living expenses. Her utility meters had accrued debts during a two month period when she and her partner had left their tenancy due to harassment. She was unable to afford to repay the debt in order to access heat or power.
The council declined Ms C's application on the basis that she had already received three awards in the last 12-month rolling period. They stated that there were no exceptional circumstances that would allow for them to make an exceptional fourth award.
We received the council's file, and agreed that Ms C had already received three awards in the last 12-month rolling period. However on speaking with her, we found that she had experienced a period of harassment which had contributed to a decline in her mental health. She was depending on friends and family to accommodate her and her partner during the day, returning to their tenancy only to sleep at night. As the stress of her living situation was worsening her mental health, as well as putting strain on her relationship with her partner and his mental health, we assessed that this met the exceptional circumstances criteria (s7.23 of SWF Guidance). As such, we considered her to be eligible for an award. We sought evidence of the meter debt and upheld the review request on the basis that the council had misinterpreted the available information. We instructed the council to award £137.07.