Essential Living Fund (ELF) Scheme Policy - Essex

Decision makers

An award of a grant under the ELF scheme will be made by a Decision Maker (DM). This is an employee of Southend City Council who is acting under the directives of the ELF schemes policy to make a discretionary decision as to the eligibility of the applicant.

Purpose of the fund

It is important to consider carefully all the circumstances of an application before deciding whether or not to award an Essential Living Fund Grant. No two cases will be the same. The flexibility of the scheme and wide variety of individual circumstances covered mean that a decision in one case does not constitute a precedent for others.

Regard must be given, in particular to:

• the nature, extent and urgency of the need
• the existence of resources from which the need may be met
• the possibility that some other person or body may wholly or partly meet that need. In providing this help care must be taken to ensure the Essential Living Fund does not take over the role of other agencies in providing support. See Appendix A for a list of other schemes and funds to be considered and also the needs which are covered by ELF.
• the Councils Essential Living Funds grant allocation - The ELF's budgetary position will vary throughout the financial year. Decision makers must control and manage the ELF budget so that high priority needs are met first throughout the whole of the year and the allocation is not exhausted before year end.
• the priority of the ELF grant

In making a decision the decision maker should:

• clearly and fully document the reason for their decision
• always use discretion
• use discretion sensitively and with imagination to ensure that the objective of the scheme is promoted
• avoid rigid interpretation of the guidance
• remember that the absence of guidance applying to a particular circumstance, item or service does not mean help should be refused
• consider all the circumstances of a case when they determine an application
• consider the consequences of refusing an award

The decision maker should ensure the reasons for their decision is fully supported by the evidence and recorded in their decision.

The general purpose of the fund is not to replace worn or broken items. It is to assist people that fit one of the prime objectives.

The way in which we will provide this help could be:

• provision of recycled goods/furniture
• vouchers with which goods may be purchased
• food parcels
• payment to a third party on behalf of the applicant
• signposting or providing advice and information

This list is not exhaustive.

The groups of people most likely to require help from an ELF grant are:

• frail elderly people
• people with learning difficulties
• people with mental health problems
• people with a physical impairment, including those with sensory impairment
• chronically sick people
• terminally ill people
• people who have, or still do, misuse alcohol, drugs or other substances
• people released from prison or youth offending institute
• people without a settled way of life undergoing resettlement
• young people leaving Local Authority care or special residential schools
• families with complex needs or living in difficult circumstances

This list is not exhaustive.