Mr M receives Income Support and Disability Living Allowance. He also has various health problems. His only form of heating was a coal fire, and although he qualified for a heating grant to fully install central heating to his property, there was no gas supply to the property, so work could not start. The home improvement agency tried to gain funding from the local authority to install a gas supply and meter, but no funding was available. The payment of £529.94 from the Hardship Fund meant that work could go ahead and Mr M now has much needed central heating throughout his home.
Mrs R, a pensioner, is a wheelchair user. She was unable to leave her own home independently due to difficulties crossing the raised threshold. The current waiting time for provision of a ramp from the local authority was 14 months. The Hardship Fund was able to cover the small cost of providing a ramp, which made an enormous difference to the independence and quality of life that Mrs R can now enjoy.
Mrs G is 79 and in poor health. She has asthma, back problems, bronchitis and osteoporosis. The radiators in the bedroom, living room and hallway were not working properly due to a blockage in her pipework, which was quite old and buried in the floor. The pipe needed to be isolated and re-routed to solve the problem. There was a possibility of a local authority grant to cover this work, but this grant could take up to seven months to process. It would also preclude Mrs G from applying for further assistance for another five years. The agency felt that this was not the best solution for the client due to the small amount needed, and applied to the fund for a quick solution to this urgent problem.
Mrs F is 65 years and lives alone. Following a generator failure, she had no electrical supply, which meant that she had no access to hot water or cooking facilities. Her only source of heat was a log-burning stove in the living room. The agency managed to find part-funding for replacing the generator, which was beyond repair. The property also needed other repairs, which the agency was able to find funding for. The Hardship Fund completed the shortfall required to replace the generator, ensuring that Mrs F had her electricity supply restored.
