Community Care Grant:
What is a community care grant?
This a non-repayable grant to help people live independently in the community – you have to be on qualifying benefit when you claim. The grant is only paid for certain specific circumstances, there is not an upper limit to the amount you can ask for, however your claim must be for more than £30. There is no legal entitlement to the grant (however you can request a review of the decision) – decisions are made based upon your circumstances, budget and local guidelines.
What Benefits do I need to be on?
You need to have been in receipt of one of the following benefits on the day you make your application
- Income Support.
- Income Based Jobseekers Allowance.
- Pension Credit (Guaranteed or Saving Credit).
Capital
Having capital in excess of £500 (£1000 if you or your partner are 60 or over) will affect your claim.
What Can The Grant Be Used For?
You must need the grant to help you for one of the following purposes
- Moving Out of Institutionalised or Residential Accommodation
Money for items/service to help you, or a member of your family or other persons for whom you or a member of your family will be providing care, to establish yourself (him/herself) in the community following a stay in institutional or residential accommodation in which you (he/she) received care.
- Staying Out of Institutionalised or Residential Accommodation
Money for items/service to help you, or a member of your family or other persons for whom you or a member of your family will be providing care, to remain in the community rather than enter institutional or residential accommodation in which he/she will receive care.
- Planned Resettlement
Money for items or service to help you to set up a home in the community as part of a planned resettlement programme following a period during which you have been without a settled way of life.
- Easing Exceptional Pressure On Families
Money for items or service to help ease exceptional pressure on you AND your family.
- Prisoners On Temporary Release
Money to help to allow you, your partner to care for a prisoner or young offender on temporary release under part XIV of the Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions Rule 1994).
- Travel Expenses
Money to help you or one or more members of your family, with travel expenses within the in certain circumstances (including overnight accommodation charges).
There are various items/needs that a Community Care Grant can not be issued for. Please see one of our trained staff for more details.
For more details of explanation of terms please visit the CLASP office or visit www.dwp.gov.uk or www.cpag.org.uk or www.irs-review.org.uk
