Back on Track Policy 2023-24

5.1 The Council will decide if the qualifying conditions for an award have been met.

5.2 The Council will require evidence of the qualifying conditions by either:

• confirmation by telephone with a specialist provider or trusted partner
• other evidence provided by the applicant, their appointee, their carer, their advocate or referring agency, based on the individual circumstances of each case

5.3 Where the applicant has health, support or care needs which are not currently being met or have not been assessed by a specialist provider (for example by a GP, support or care agency), the applicant will be signposted to the relevant specialist provider to assess their needs.

5.4 The Council will also make a financial assessment, which will involve an assessment of the income and expenditure of the applicant to establish if they have any excess income or capital, including a Department for Work and Pensions budgeting loan that could be used to meet some or all of the required support.

5.5 The Council will process the application and inform the applicant of the outcome of their application.

5.6 The Council will also refer the applicant or signpost to an advice agency, if for example it appears that the applicant may qualify for additional welfare benefits or Tax Credits or other support. Should the applicant refuse to engage after a referral to a partner agency then future applications may not be considered.

5.7 For crisis support, the Council will contact the applicant within 24 hours to discuss the application. On receipt of all requested information and evidence, the applicant will be notified of the decision and their award distributed (if applicable) within 24 hours.

5.8 For settlement support, the Council will contact the applicant within 3 working days to discuss the application. On receipt of all requested information and evidence, the applicant will be notified of the decision within 5 working days. If successful, awards will be provided in line with the applicant's needs but usually not within 48 hours of the award decision.