Independent Review Service  for the Social Fund   Self Instruction Packages    Homepage   Training and Support   Publications and   Leaflets     Self Instruction Packages If you are keen to learn more about Social Fund law affecting grants, crisis loans and budgeting loans then our Self Instruction Packs (SIPS) are ideal for learning at your own pace. We have a comprehensive range of packs, free to download using the links below. Please note that we are not able to provide hard-copies of these materials except in the most exceptional of circumstances. These SIPS are only a training aid not a replacement for the Secretary of State's Social Fund Directions and guidance. For the most up to date information we always recommend checking the guide first. Here is the link to the Department For Work And Pensions website: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/ Click here to be taken to the list of Self Instruction Packages available to download. When you have used the Packs, we would be grateful for your comments. At the back of the pack there is an evaluation form to enter your comments and return to us in your preferred method. These packs are available to download in Adobe PDF format. Please click on the link to open the publication in its own window. If you do not have Adobe PDF reader, it is available to download for free. Please click on the link at the bottom of the page to be taken to the Adobe website. The Information given in our SIPS is under regular review and we aware that some updates are needed, particularly in the older editions. Whilst we are working to update these packs please be aware of the following key changes: Social Fund forms have changed. The SF300 is now a dual application form to be used for crisis loans and community care grants for items. Rent-In-Advance is applied for on form SF401(R). Requirement to attend an interview to apply for a Crisis Loan - The Social Fund (applications and miscellaneous provisions) regulations 2008 require, in certain circumstances, for an applicant to make their loan application in person at an office of DWP, rather than over the telephone or in writing. Employment and Support Allowance - Income Related (ESA-IR). This benefit was introduced in October 2008. Where ESA (IR) is in payment it is, in addition to Income Support, Pension Credit and Income Based Jobseekers Allowance, a qualifying benefit for community care grants and budgeting loans. Budgeting Loans: The rates for Budgeting Loans are now set on a national basis, so you will get the same amount whether you live in England, Scotland or Wales. Crisis Loans Direction 3: From 4th April 2011 loans are no longer generally available or items (such as beds and cookers). An exception is made if there has been a "disaster", and an award is the only way of preventing serious risk or serious damage to health or safety. A Crisis Loan for living expenses, rent in advance, charges for board and lodge, travel if you are stranded away from home, or emergency fuel credit, can be awarded if these expenses are needed either in an emergency or as a consequence of a disaster. The health/safety test also applies. Crisis Loans Direction 18 and Direction 20 (hardship cases) from 4th April 2011: The maximum award for living expenses has reduced from 75% to 60% of the applicable rate for the customer and his partner if he has one plus the full rate for any dependants. Crisis Loans Direction 14C - In general terms, an award is restricted to three relevant awards for living expenses in a rolling twelve month period with effect from 04 April 2011. There are exceptions, including disasters or in an emergency in certain circumstances. Crisis Loans Direction 17- This law limits access to crisis loans where a person is affected by benefit penalties. The rule now introduces causality. So if a request for living expenses is made wholly or partly due to a sanction or disallowance, worked focused interview sanction, or trade dispute, then they may not access a loan for that period. Repeat Applications Direction 7 - Crisis Loans and Community Care Grants -With effect from 04 July 2011. This now refers to applications made within 12 months of a previous application for the same expense. (no longer 28 days, and before that, 26 weeks). Repeat Applications Direction 7 - In the case of living expenses, an applicant may not usually have a second award for the same period if it is caused by an act or omission for which they are responsible. An exception is made if they could not have taken reasonable steps to avoid this. Direction 49: This rule allows grants to be considered on crisis loan forms, and vice versa. From 4th April 11 the situations where it is possible to consider a loan for a grant are restricted. Where Direction 3 6-9 (below) is not applicable, (not a disaster situation) , a CCG may still be appropriate where the CL request is for travel costs of living expenses (subject to other tests). Direction 3 para 6-9 Where a crisis loan is requested in a disaster situation the decision maker must first have regard to paying a grant under Directions 4a(i),(ii) or (iii). Award Amounts for grants - This is not a point of law, but guidance offered by the Secretary of State. Generally, awards will be the lowest amount for a new item, using national catalogue prices as a guide. The item must still fully meet the need. Direction 33 - interviews by Reviewing Officer's: This law has seen several changes over the years. Currently, a formal interview is not required unless there is a natural justice issue (the applicant does not know the case against them) or the officer is minded to reject the applicants evidence. This does not remove the officer's inquisitorial role, which is established in case law. Date Title Summary 2010 IRS Self Instruction Pack - The Social Fund 'A Basic Overview' irssipbasic.pdf (255Kb) A general guide to the Social Fund, covering the key features of the scheme.(April 2011 amendments to Crisis Loans are soon to be included - please see the "what's new" page of this website). 2003 IRS Self Instruction Pack - Community Care Grants irssipccg.pdf (1.2Mb) A technical pack providing a thorough working guide to community care grants. Specifically designed for Jobcentre Plus staff with responsibility for the social fund and organisations that advise or assist applicants. 2006 Budgeting Loans - - A Quick Guide to the New Rules irsblleaflet.pdf (245Kb) From 3 April 2006 budgeting loans are worked out in a new way. As a result, there is no longer a Self Instruction Pack for budgeting loans. A brief summary of the changes is available if you click on the download to the left. 2005 IRS Self Instruction Pack - Evidence in the Social Fund Context irssipevi.pdf (500Kb) This is intended to provide the user with a thorough, but not overly technical, guide to competent handling of evidence in the context of Social Fund applications. 2004 IRS Self Instruction Pack - The Social Fund for Jobcentre Plus staff irssipjcp.pdf (700Kb) This pack is designed for staff in Jobcentre Plus offices who may be required to advise and assist customers, but who are not involved in Social Fund decision-making. It gives an overview of the conditions for payments and advice about the information customers should give to support their applications. 2004 IRS Self Instruction Pack - The Social Fund for Pension Service staff irssipps.pdf (800Kb) This pack is designed for staff in The Pension Service who may be required to advise and assist customers. It gives an overview of the conditions for payments and advice about the information customers should give to support their applications. 2005 IRS Self Instruction Pack - Decision Making and Reviewers. irssipdmr.pdf (1.4Mb) This is a 'how-to' guide to making and reviewing decisions. It focuses on the processes by which decisions are made rather than the technical aspects of the various types of Social Fund payments. It is primarily aimed at Decision Makers and Reviewing Officers in Jobcentre Plus, but might also be useful to other Social Fund practitioners and to advisers. 2007 IRS Self Instruction Pack - Decision Making: The Inquistorial Role. irssipdmi.pdf (824Kb) This pack is designed to help decision makers understand their role in gathering evidence, with pointers about when additional information is necessary and how best to go about collecting it. PDF files can be downloaded and viewed by using Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have a copy of Acrobat Reader, it can be downloaded for free from the Adobe website at http://www.adobe.co.uk/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. Just click on the icon to the left, or the link above, to be taken to the Adobe site. Please see our IRS Privacy Policy page for details on how we collect your information in connection with the Inspector's Review and how this information is used.