Essential Living Fund (ELF) Scheme Policy - Southend-on-Sea

Decision makers and purpose of the fund

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. Each case is decided on its own merits, 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 ELFG 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
  • mis-use of previous grants

In making a decision the decision maker should:

  • clearly and fully document the reason for their decision
  • always use discretion
  • avoid rigid interpretation of the guidance - 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 way in which we will provide this help could be:

  • provision of new or recycled household goods, furniture or white goods
  • provision of digital or physical cash payment
  • food parcels
  • signposting or providing advice and information

This list is not exhaustive.

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