Community care grants are designed to help people on income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance who need extra financial help to enable them to live independently. You don't have to pay them back.
Who is eligible?
There is no automatic right to a community care grant. It can be difficult to get one but it is worth applying. You may be eligible if, for example:
- you are leaving residential care or an institution, such as a children's home
- you need help to stay in your home (for example, if you are elderly or disabled and need adaptations to make your home more suitable for your needs)
- you haven't had a stable home for a long time (for example, if you have been sleeping on the streets) and are getting help from a resettlement team
- your family is under extreme pressure (for example, because of a long-term illness, separation or divorce)
- you are looking after someone who is disabled, ill or is a prisoner or young offender on home leave.
You must be claiming income support (IS) or income-based jobseeker's allowance (JSA) or are likely to be eligible for income support or jobseeker's allowance when you leave residential or institutional care. If your partner is on IS or JSA but you are not, only s/he can claim. If you have more than £500 in savings between you (or £1,000 if one of you is over 60) the amount you get will be reduced.
What can grants be used for?
Community care grants can be used to cover a wide range of costs, such as:
- furniture, bedding and household equipment
- connection charges for utilities such as gas and electricity
- clothing and footwear
- removal expenses
- certain essential travel expenses (for example, to go to a funeral, visit someone who is ill or visit your children if they are living with your ex- partner).
Community care grants can't be used for rent in advance. However, if you get a grant, you can make a separate application for a loan to cover this.
How do I apply?
Community care grants are given out by the social fund. You can make an application at your local office of the Benefits Agency or Jobcentre Plus - either in person or by telephone. Claim forms are also available online from the A to Z of Welfare Benefits. You can apply up to six weeks in advance and can ask for any amount from £30 (or less, if you need money for travel expenses).
What are my chances of getting a grant?
Get advice if you need a community care grant. There is a limited amount of money available, so it isn't easy to get a payment. An adviser may be able to:
- check which type of grant or loan you have the best chance of getting
- help you convince the Benefits Agency or Jobcentre Plus that you should be a priority (the rules about who gets priority are very complicated)
- explain the forms and help you work out how much you should ask for
- help you to appeal if the council says it can't help you.
Use the Advice Services Directory to find advice agencies in your area that can support your application.
What if my application is refused?
If your application for a community care grant is refused, you can ask the Benefits Agency/Jobcentre Plus to review its decision. To do this, you must:
- apply in writing
- apply within 28 days of the date the decision was given
- explain clearly the reasons why you think the decision was unfair.
If the Benefits Agency/Jobcentre Plus does not change its mind when it reviews the decision, you can then ask the Social Fund Independent Review Service (IRS) to look at your application again. The IRS can change the decision if it was wrong.
If you are not happy with any decision made on your application and want to ask for a review, get advice immediately. It is often difficult to get decisions about the social fund changed but the help of an adviser could help you increase your chances of getting a grant.
