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Original poster

Community Care Grant Please Does Anyone Know Anything About Them?

36 replies

jes74 · 02/01/2009 23:11

Hi, My sister is just about to move into a council house after staying with me, brilliant news for her but she needs now to furnish it etc, she has been told she may be eligable for one of these grants but was given no details, so can anyone tell me what they are exactly please, ie who is eligable how much she would be granted roughly, is it a case of they purchase items for her or she sends in receipts?.
Sorry for the ramble but I have not got a clue about them and neither has she.

OP posts:
scrooged · 02/01/2009 23:25

There is a furniture project in the city where you live , people donate sofa's, tables etc, the council charge a minimum amount for them.

I think the grant is from the DHSS, she needs to go in and fill in a form. They give her cash and she goes and gets the things she needs. They normally go to families on benefits.

Have you tried freecycle for things? You normally just go and collect them.

scrooged · 02/01/2009 23:27

here

scrooged · 02/01/2009 23:28

www.derbyfurnitureproject.co.uk/ and here ]]

Original poster
jes74 · 02/01/2009 23:29

Thank you, have been to the ymca project was interesting!! is there a different project? freecycle we are watching like hawks but no luck so far, she is on benefits due to circumstances of her move.

OP posts:
scrooged · 02/01/2009 23:29

www.derbyfurnitureproject.co.uk argh! ]]

scrooged · 02/01/2009 23:29

www.derbyfurnitureproject.co.uk argh]]

scrooged · 02/01/2009 23:29

sod it

Original poster
jes74 · 02/01/2009 23:31

lol thank you

OP posts:
nancy75 · 02/01/2009 23:31

i think its quite hard to get a community care grant, because you dont have to pay it back they are quite strick about what they give. if your sister is on benefits she could also apply for a budgeting loan, this is set up for stuff like buying furniture and is easier to get, but does have to be paid back. it is interest free and an amount is deducted from her benefits every week to pay it back. she does not have to prove what she bought with a budgeting loan

scrooged · 02/01/2009 23:33

What does she need?

theclangers · 02/01/2009 23:39

The DWP (Department of Work and Pensions)should be able to tell you all about it.
"see click on link" for some info.

Original poster
jes74 · 02/01/2009 23:40

I believe my sister meets the requirement for a grant due to her move being instigated by police and social services she has literally given up everything(very long story), trouble is they tell her what she may be entitled too but not the details ie how much she may get, does she need to provide receipts or how long it all takes. Then her sw goes on holiday for 3 weeks and says i will find out about the paperwork when i get back which is a fortnight after when my sister should move!

OP posts:
scrooged · 02/01/2009 23:42

That's helpful. There should be another sw that will know if she calls the office on monday. The CAB will be able to help aswell.

Original poster
jes74 · 02/01/2009 23:42

Scrooged she needs the basics beds cooker, carpets etc (and i would rather she got her own than nicked mine on the way out

OP posts:
theclangers · 02/01/2009 23:42

There should be other agencies who can help her to fill in the form such as the citizen advice bureau. I would suggest that she contact her local office for some help and advise.

Original poster
jes74 · 02/01/2009 23:44

she is dealing with the child in need team, which is rather short staffed and no one is ever there.

OP posts:
aidansyummymummy · 02/01/2009 23:45

It is a grant they is meant to help her furnish a new home. She would need to list what items she needed and give a price. normally from the argos book. A social fund officer will then look at whether or not she qualifys and what her personal circumstances were...eg what happened to her belongings before and what items are essential. they will also have to take into account the social fund budget.

She should apply but not pin her hopes on getting it. Agree with freecycle as a good source of help

scrooged · 02/01/2009 23:45

She's welcome to my microwave, I don't use it apart from to heat a curry, it is old though but works. I have some bits and bobs aswell, i've been putting off the clear out.

theclangers · 02/01/2009 23:47

Sos.. what I mean is contact her local CAB (citizen advice bureau) as they will be able to help with form filling and benefit/grant advice.

aidansyummymummy · 02/01/2009 23:47

took me so long to write i didnt see the above posts.

Good that she is with social services, that will add weight to her claim and social worker could write letter outlining circumstances.

She would be given a sum of money to spend

Original poster
jes74 · 02/01/2009 23:47

Looks like a visit to Cab, is the best way too go. But knowing the way the system works she will still need supporting letter from holidaying support worker, unless for once she is lucky

OP posts:
scrooged · 02/01/2009 23:49

There's someone giving a gas cooker on freecycle.

Original poster
jes74 · 02/01/2009 23:51

Thank you for your replies.
Scrooged she has a microwave, some small items are in storage but she couldnt afford to store big items, just the big ites are what costs.

OP posts:
scrooged · 02/01/2009 23:51

and a fridge, and a TV...

theclangers · 02/01/2009 23:52

Dependent on where she lives, there should be other local charities/organisations who may be able to help with furniture, such as the Salvation Army, or other projects. It may be worth speaking to the local Council to see if they have info on the local projects in her area.