Welfare assessment FAQ's
How do I apply? Log onto MySandwell and request an assessment via our Priority Application form
What is a welfare assessment for? If you need to be re-housed due to one of the following circumstances we can assess your situation and may be able to award a priority to support your move:
- Suffering from domestic abuse, extreme violence or extreme harassment where there is a high risk to you or your family's safety if you remain in the property/area
- Grounds of hardship
- employment hardship - you need to move to take up or continue an employment opportunity not available elsewhere where you do not live within a reasonable commuting distance
- support hardship - you require substantial and on-going support from relatives or friends or it is essential that they give substantial and on-going support to relatives or friends and support cannot be achieved or maintained through reliance on public transport or your own transport.
- to access medical treatment or social services facilities - where the need cannot realistically be met through reliance on public transport, your own transport, or through provision put in place by health or social services
- Right to Move - the need to move, not simply want to move due to the distance and/or time taken to travel between home and work, the availability and affordability of transport as against earnings, the nature of the work and whether similar opportunities are available nearer home, other personal factors, for instance medical conditions or child care, length of work contract, failure to move means a lost opportunity to improve employment circumstances or prospects
What supporting information is required?
If your safety is at risk we may require evidence from the police, the court or a relevant agency that you are currently receiving support from i.e. Black Country Women's Aid
To support an assessment relating to grounds of hardship we may require;
Employment hardship
- the address of your work place
- details of transport method, time and cost
Support hardship
- evidence of their care requirements (Doctor, Social Services)
- evidence of links to care group
- other forms of support or care available to the applicant or the person to whom it is claimed support is required
- benefits relating to any disability or care, e.g. Disability Living Allowance information
To access medical treatment or social services facilities
- confirmation of name and address of the medical or social provision to which they need access
- evidence of their care requirements (e.g. Doctor, Social Services)
- evidence that no other provision is available, and no assistance can be provided to enable them to access the service
Right to Move
- a formal offer letter
- a contract of employment
- wage/salary slips covering a certain period, or bank statements (zero hour contracts)
- tax and benefits information, for example proof of receipt of working tax credit.
How long does it take for a priority decision? Following receipt of the complete assessment form and supporting evidence an officer will review the information and notify you of a decision as soon as possible.
What priority will I be awarded?
If yours or your family's safety is at risk, you will be awarded band 1 priority
If your welfare is affected under grounds of hardship, you will be awarded band 3 priority
Why has my priority request been refused? You may have failed to provide sufficient information or supporting evidence, or you did not meet the priority criteria despite the information and supporting evidence you provided.
Do I have the right to review? Yes, if you disagree with the decision you can ask for a review of your case within 21 days from the date of notification. If no request is received within 21 days the decision shall be deemed to be accepted.
When will I be offered a property? If you are awarded priority you should experience a reduction in the length of time you wait for an offer of suitable accommodation. However, due to the high demand for housing you will need to continue to bid for properties until you are successful.