Applications and evidence
Applications
The date of a written application to the Essential Living Fund is the date it is received by the Councils office provided that the application is in writing and:
- on a fully completed form approved by the Council in accordance with instructions on the form or
- is acceptable as sufficient in the circumstances of the case eg there is sufficient information in a letter or
- via the appropriate Telephone claim number with sufficient detail provided
If an application is made on behalf of a person, by someone other than an appointee, that person must give their consent to the application being made on their behalf.
An application that does not meet the requirements will be deemed defective. However, the application could be treated as made on the date it was originally received if the applicant complies with any request made to supply further information as necessary.
The normal time limit allowed to provide any further information requested will be 1 calendar month. This can be extended where it is reasonable to do so.
If a claim is taken by Telephone a decision may be made in the phone call. This decision will always be provided in a written letter as well with a right to review if the decision was negative.
The normal opening times of the Telephone Line will be 8:45am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday.
Evidence
It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all the evidence necessary to determine an application.
Where it is necessary to seek further information to clarify an aspect of the application this could be done by either:
- contacting the applicant
- checking departmental records
- contacting a third party where appropriate and either permission is given or the data protection laws would allow
- arranging for clarification to be provided at a pre-award visit
Evidence can be documentary, verbal or physical. It may be derived from such sources as:
- the current application form
- supporting documents and correspondence
- telephone or interview records
- a record of observations on visit
- previous applications
- computer systems
- local knowledge
Evidence may be provided by, for example:
- applicants and/or their representatives
- social workers
- probation officers
- medical doctors
- housing departments
- landlords
- visiting officers
- decision makers
Exceptionally, it may be appropriate to ask the applicant for any corroborating evidence they may have, such as relevant evidence of a medical condition, eg existing doctors note, a letter from a hospital.
If the evidence provided is inconsistent, improbable or contradictory, the applicant should be given the opportunity to clarify or comment on any aspect of the evidence that is causing doubt.
The decision maker should ask for as much supporting evidence from the applicant for corroboration as is reasonable and necessary to substantiate the application but should not:
- ask for evidence which would incur any expense to the applicant
- insist that the applicant provides supporting evidence, particularly from a third party
If the applicant does not provide the requested evidence then a decision should be made based on the completed application and any other evidence already held.