Departments Directions Social Fund Guide

Part 3 - Crisis Loans

Direction 20 - Calculation of amounts for living expenses Jobseeker's Allowance hardship cases

The Department directs that

20 (1)The maximum amount that may be awarded as a Crisis Loan in respect of living expenses for applicants whose income-based jobseeker's allowance is reduced by virtue of regulation 145 of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 (hardship cases) is -

(a)the aggregate of -

(i)an amount equal to 60% of the appropriate income-based jobseeker's allowance personal allowance for the applicant and any partner, and

(ii)for each child, an amount equal to the income-based jobseeker's allowance personal allowance rate applicable to dependent children

(b)the income-based jobseeker's allowance applicable amount payable in such circumstances,

whichever is the lower, but must not in any case exceed the difference between any sum already repayable to the social fund by the applicant and his partner and £1500.

(2)Where any step in the calculation under paragraph (1) results in a fraction of a penny, that fraction may be rounded up or down to the nearest penny.

Jobseeker's Allowance hardship cases

4950This Direction sets out the maximum which may be awarded to an applicant being paid income-based JSA at hardship rate.

4951Consider if a smaller payment is appropriate and enter the total on the decision form.

495216 and 17 year olds who have to live independently may be eligible for a higher rate of income-based JSA. Check with the JSA section to see which rate of income-based JSA is appropriate before deciding:

the amount of any Crisis Loan
the applicant's ability to repay

4953The applicant may be receiving an urgent case payment simultaneously with the operation of a higher rate deduction. If this is the case, the Crisis Loan should not exceed the amount of income-based JSA that is, or would be, payable excluding premiums and housing costs.

4954-4999