SOCIAL FUND

There are two separate social fund systems.  The first one is based on your legal entitlement and is for such things as maternity payments, funeral expenses and cold weather payments.  The second system is discretionary and can include payments in three different ways: Community Care Grants, Budgeting Loans or Crisis Loans. Check out the possibilities with your local benefits agency.
 

COMMUNITY CARE GRANTS

Community Care Grants are intended to help people on Income Support or Income Based Jobseekers Allowance who live in the community instead of Residential Care.  It helps pay for things that you can’t afford like bedding or clothing, laundry equipment, heaters or safety items.

When applying for a Community Care Grant, it is important to explain on the form why you need the items, e.g. to stay safe and well in your home or to ease exceptional pressures on your family.  Try to link your request with your disability if possible, this sometimes means stating the obvious.

You can also get a Community Care Grant to help with the cost of visiting a close relative in hospital.  Any savings you have over £500.00 will be deducted from the grant.
 

BUDGETING LOANS

Budgeting Loans are for people on Income Support or Income Based Jobseekers Allowance, are interest free repayable loans provided by the Benefits Agency.  Contact your Local Benefits Agency for information.
 

CRISIS LOANS

Crisis Loans are available to anyone in an emergency who needs money to avoid serious risk to their health or safety.  They have to be paid back.  Contact your Local Benefits Agency.
 

COUNCIL TAX

Council Tax is a tax paid to the Local Authority to help pay for the services they provide.  There is one bill for each property and the amount payable is based on the value of the property.  If you pay Council Tax then you may be eligible for a reduction.  See page 55 for further details about Council Tax Benefit. 

 
COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT

You can only get Council Tax Benefit if your name is on the bill – you have to be 18 or older.  This benefit depends on how much money you have.  If you are on Income Support you are unlikely to get your whole bill paid although it may be reduced if you have someone living with you.

If you pay the Council Tax Bill but you can’t get help because you have too much money, you may still claim a reduction on the bill if someone living with you is getting Income Support or has a low income.  That person must not be your partner or a lodger.  This is called Second Adult Rebate.  If you live alone your bill should be reduced.

You, or the person you live with, may also be able to get the Council Tax on your home reduced if your home has been adapted to meet your needs; this is called The Council Tax Disability Reduction.  You need to let the council know about any adaptations and someone will come round to your house to see if they can give a reduction.

You can apply to pay less if anyone resident in the house has a disability and, because of it, needs more floor space to enable a wheelchair to be used or needs a second bathroom, kitchen or other room predominantly for their use.  You pay less if one of you has a severe learning disability and is getting certain relevant benefits.  Check with your Local Benefits Agency.