Award criteria

Applications will be assessed over six categories.

Financial assessment

The weekly income and expenditure of the household along with savings will be considered. Priority will be assessed on the level of weekly shortfall and therefore ability to meet housing costs.

Disability adaptations

The assessment will be based on adaptations made to the property to meet the needs of a disabled resident. Priority will be given to applicants living in significantly adapted properties such as those adapted for wheel chair use and where it is considered that a larger property is required due to disability or health reasons.

Health, education and support

Consideration will be given to the health and support needs of the applicants which require them to live in their present home. Priority categories will include applicants:

• with a need to access local health provision or support not available elsewhere
• children at a critical point in their education
• fleeing domestic violence
• receiving assistance or care in their current neighbourhood from family and friends

Significant events

Where short term financial assistance will sustain the tenancy until a significant event removes the applicant from under occupancy or benefit cap rules for example

• moving home
• starting employment
• expecting a child
• child will reach a significant age
• applicant or partner will shortly reach pension credit age

Tenancy

The assessment will take into account any recent change of circumstances which results in the applicant being subject to benefit reduction, single claimants under 35 subject to LHA shared room rate and other LHA regulation changes.

Other circumstances

This category will encompass any other circumstances not detailed, for example where an award will facilitate:

• start of employment or training
• Sustain employment or training
• Sustain the tenancy of vulnerable residents

Sustain the tenancy where extenuating circumstances affect the ability to meet housing costs.