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The
Review Process
This
information is intended to be a brief general guide only. It should help you
understand the review process, but should not be treated as a full statement of
law.
Key features of the process are included, but not the full text of
the law or the Secretary of State's directions or guidance.
You can
find the Secretary of State's directions and guidance in the Social Fund Guide
which you can access via the
DWP website |
How do I apply to the Social Fund?
Applications for
community care grants and budgeting loans must be made in writing to a
Jobcentre Plus office. Applications for crisis loans may be made in writing or
by telephone. Usually, applications for urgently required day to day living
expenses are made by telephone, but the law says you can apply in writing if
you wish.
There is a different form for each type of the fund
(Community Care Grants, Crisis Loans and Budgeting Loans). Application forms
are available from Jobcentre Plus offices or you can download one from the
Department of Work and Pensions website. You should send the completed form to
your local Jobcentre Plus office. The Independent Review Service cannot deal
with applications at this stage.
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I have had problems applying to the Social
Fund: What can I do?
It is very
important that potential customers have access to the Social Fund. You should
not be refused an application form if you want one. Similarly you should be
always allowed to apply if you want to do so. check out our
Mythbusters if you think you may have wrongly
been told you cannot apply.
If you have experienced any
problems applying to the Social Fund, we would like to know about it. Please
e-mail Richard Plant at
with more
details or click to be taken to the Your Social Fund Experience section of the
website to complete an on-line form. You can also phone the IRS with your
comments on and ask for
Richard Plant.Back to top
How long
should it take to receive a decision on my application?
The length of time taken is likely to depend on what
part of the fund is applied for:
- Community Care
Grant - the decision should be made within 9 working days of receipt.
- Budgeting
Loan - the decision should be made within 9 working days of receipt.
- Crisis Loan -
the standard set for all crisis loan applications is for a decision to be made
within 2 working days. However the time taken is likely to vary depending on
what the application is for. Claims for living expenses, such as food or fuel,
should be considered urgent and ideally a decision should be made on the day
the application is made. However applications for other items may take longer
than the 2 days, as a similar process to a community care grant application is
likely to occur.
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How do I
apply for a review?
If you are
dissatisfied with the outcome of your application, you have the right to a
review within Jobcentre Plus. You should put this request in writing, even if
you applied by telephone. The law says you should ask for the review within 28
days, although this time limit may be extended if there are good reasons to do
so, and should say why you are dissatisfied. Back to
top
What does the
review entail?
The Reviewing
Officer will look at the decision to see if it was right. He will also consider
any new evidence you have given. During this review, you have the right to an
interview with the Reviewing Officer if you want one. Most interviews take
place over the telephone, but if this is difficult for you, you can ask for a
face-to-face interview.
It is important that you
take part in the interview. It is your opportunity to make your case for a
payment and give the Reviewing Officer any information that the original
decision maker may not have had.
When the Reviewing Officer
has made a decision, you should always receive a written notification, even if
you have been told the outcome verbally. Back to
top
How long
should my review take?
The time
standards for all types of the fund are grouped together. On average all
reviews should be made within 10 working days. However, the actual length of
time taken is likely to depend on what part of the fund is applied for:
- Community Care
Grant - the review decision should be made within 10 working days of
receipt.
- Budgeting
Loan - the review decision should be made within 10 working days of
receipt.
- Crisis Loan -
Although this part of the fund is also grouped together for the purpose of the
combined review standard, it is possible the application will be dealt with
much quicker.
You have the right to
a face to face interview if you want one, during this review. Back to
top
What if
I am still dissatisfied?
After
the review decision has been made, you have the right to apply for a further,
independent, review by an Inspector at the Independent Review Service.
Applications must be in writing and you should apply within 28 days
of the Reviewing Officer's decision, but the Inspector can extend this time
limit for special reasons.
Applications are usually
made on a form IRS 1 - "How to ask for an Independent Review". This should be
issued with the review decision from Jobcentre Plus, but you can get one from
Jobcentres, many welfare rights organisations, local authorities, libraries and
this website. Please click here to be taken to the leaflets page of this
website, where you can download an IRS1. You do not have to use the form. You
can write a letter briefly explaining why you think the Reviewing Officer's
decision is wrong.
Make sure you have signed the form or letter and send
it to Freepost, Independent Review Service. You do not need a stamp. to
be taken to the leaflets page of this website. Back to
top
What happens
next?
We will ask Jobcentre Plus
to send us the paperwork as soon as possible. Ideally, this should occur within
4 days. Please click here to be taken to the IRS Review page to find out
'What the review involves'. Back to
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I wasn't told
about applying for an independent review when I had the first interview. What
should I do?
If you had an
interview, the Reviewing Officer should have told you about your right to apply
for an independent review. Your Jobcentre Plus office should give or send
leaflet IRS1 to you with the decision made by the Reviewing Officer.
It is very important that customers know they have the right to an
independent review. If you have had a reviewing officer's decision and did not
receive an IRS1 form, we would like to know about it. Please e-mail Richard
Plant at with more details or click
here to be taken to the Your Social Fund Experience section of the
website to complete an on-line form. You can also phone the IRS with your
comments on 0800 096 1926 and ask for
Richard Plant. Back
to top
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