The Social Fund is a range of payments that can be made by the Jobcentre Plus in special circumstances. There are two types of fund:

• the Regulated Social Fund
• the Discretionary Social Fund

What is the Regulated Social Fund?

This part of the Social Fund includes funeral expenses, maternity payments, cold weather payments and winter fuel payments. Entitlement to each of these payments vary. If you think you may be entitled ask for advice from Jobcentre Plus or your local social work office.

Decisions are taken by a Decision-Maker at Jobcentre Plus. If you disagree with any decision on the regulated social fund you can appeal to an independent appeal tribunal. To organise representation at this tribunal contact your local social work office.

What is the Discretionary Social Fund?

If you are on benefit you may need more money for essential large items that you could not afford from your weekly benefit. Payments can be made in the form of non-repayable grants or interest free loans.

There are three types of payments:

• Community Care Grants
• Budgeting Loans
• Crisis Loans

Jobcentre Plus does not have to give you a Social Fund grant or loan. Their budgets are restricted, however this should not put you off applying.

Do I have to pay them back?

Grants are non-repayable.

Loans have to be repaid from your weekly benefit. Jobcentre Plus determines the rate of repayment. You have to be able to afford to pay back loans within 18 months. All loans are interest free.

Who can apply for a Community Care Grant?

To get a community care grant you or your family will have to be part of a priority group. Priorities will vary from area to area. Examples are:

• people with restricted mobility
• people with physical disabilities
• people with mental health problems
• family breakdown
• people with behavioural problems, drug or alcohol abuse
• people experiencing physical abuse, harassment or neglect

The higher your circumstances are on the priority list, the more chance you have of getting a grant.

Community Care Grants are paid if you get Income Support or income based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Pension Credit, and you can show that you meet one of the following criteria:

• you or a member of your family are leaving residential care or an institution - for example, hospitals, care homes, hostels, supported lodgings, refugee centres, or prisons
• you or your family are under pressure due to a family breakdown, separation, ill health or disability, or the extra costs of a disabled child
• you need travel expenses to visit someone in hospital or to attend a relative’s funeral
• the payment will prevent you or a member of your family from having to go in to residential or institutional care

What can I apply for a Grant for?

A Grant can be paid for any of the following:

• to improve living conditions
• to allow a move to more suitable accommodation or nearer to relatives/close friends who provide support
• to move within the community to set up home
• to redecorate, purchase bedding, pay reconnection charges, purchase heaters/cooker/washing machine, get minor repairs and improvements done

This list is not exhaustive. You should apply for whatever you need.

Who can apply for Budgeting Loans?

You can apply for a Budgeting Loan if:

• you are in receipt of Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Pension Credit, and
• you need to spread the cost of an item that you could not budget for

You need to have been in receipt of income support or income based Jobseeker's Allowance for at least 26 weeks. Breaks of up to 28 days will be disregarded.

Who can apply for a Crisis Loan?

You can apply for a Crisis Loan even if you don’t get Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance because, for example, you have been left without money and this could cause a risk to the health and safety of your family.

You should apply if you are in crisis because of the following:

• loss of money
• compulsory unpaid holiday
• disaster (for example, fire or flood)

• need for emergency travel expenses

How Do I Apply?

To apply for a Community Care Grant you must claim on form SF300.

For a Budgeting Loan you must claim on form SF500.

You can get help to complete these forms at your local social work office.

To claim a Crisis Loan you will normally attend an interview at Jobcentre Plus where an appropriate officer will complete form SF401.

When completing the form, you should ask for everything that you would need. You should explain your own circumstances and how the payment could improve your current position.

How are decisions made?

You should get a decision on a grant or loan within seven days. A decision on a Crisis Loan should be given within one day.

If you are unhappy with the decision you can ask for a review, in writing, within 28 days of the decision. You write to the office that issued the decision with the reasons why you are unhappy. A review will then be carried out and you may be asked to attend an interview. It may be possible for the interview to take place in your home.

You may be offered a grant or loan that does not cover your needs. If this is the case and you are still not happy with the decision you can ask for another review. Again, you submit this in writing within 28 days. You must give as much detail as you can and you can accept any grant or loan that is offered while asking for this further review. An Inspector of the Independent Review Service in Birmingham will carry out this review. They will send you a copy of the papers. They can change the decision, agree with it or ask the local office to look at it again with points listed for that office to action. If an Inspector refers the decision back to the local office and you are still unsuccessful, please seek further advice.

If your review is unsuccessful you will have to wait six months before you can re-apply for a Community Care Grant unless your circumstances change or you are asking for other items. There is no time restriction on applying for Budgeting Loans.

If you require any further advice on how to claim or ask for a review, contact your local social work office. 

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