THE SOCIAL FUND

Leaflets SB16 and GL18

The Social Fund encompasses two very different systems:

The Regulated Social Fund

• Under the Regulated Social Fund your right to a Sure Start Maternity Payment, Funeral Payment or Cold Weather Payment is based on legal entitlement. If you disagree with any decisions you have the right to appeal to an independent tribunal.

Discretionary Social Fund

• The Discretionary Social Fund provides lump sum payments for needs that are difficult to meet from weekly benefit. Payment can be made in the form of non repayable grants or interest free loans. Unlike other Social Security Benefits there is no legal entitlement to help. Within the rules laid down in the law the Social Fund Officers have discretion to decide which applications get priority, taking into account local and national guidance.

There are three types of discretionary payment available:

• Community Care Grants -?? these non-repayable grants are intended to assist people on Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance facing difficulties arising from special circumstances. They may provide grants if you are leaving care and for those who may be at risk of being taken into care and, in some cases, for things like essential travelling expenses.
• Budgeting Loans -?? these are interest-free, repayable loans intended to help people who have been on income support or income based Jobseeker's Allowance for at least 26 weeks to meet important intermittent expenses for which it may be difficult to budget.
• Crisis Loans -?? these are interest free, repayable loans. Crisis Loans are for people unable to meet their immediate short-term needs in an emergency. A Crisis Loan will only be awarded where it is considered to be the only means available of preventing serious damage or serious risk to the health or safety of you or your family.

If you are not sure whether you can get a grant or a loan from the Social Fund, apply anyway.