This follows on from my problems with getting benefit awarded to my 2 Portugese Nationals who despite living in the U.K. for 17/18 years have been refused benefit on the right to reside.
It has been suggested Social Services may be able to help financially under Section 12.
Can anyone advise further, both clients are surviving on CHB and CTC, one has a mortgage and the other has rent, fortunately we have fought and got HB/CTB for the second one.
Both clients have been refused both IS and JSA and these cases have been ongoing since May 2008.

Yes, your client can get financial assistance from social services.
I have a case on-going on the issue of R2R and she has received 50.00 a week for herself whilst waiting for her appeal to be resolved .

Regarding their claims of IS and JSA - have you appealed against these decisions ?
I can understand the refusal of IS on R2R with EEA nationals but it rarely happens with JSA . Can you give some history in how they have supported themselves in U.K and the reasons of the claims?

Tahra

Thanx Tahra,
I contacted Social Services after discovering it was actually section 17 payments but was informed that these have been abolished and there is no financial assistance available for my clients.
They have both worked in the U.K but one had to give up work following a relationship breakdown as he has a child, he has a mortgage and is currently living on CTC and CHB and has recently started PTW and been awarded CTB, he has been refused both IS and JSA and I am waiting on an appeal.
The other has worked in the U.K. but then went on to IB/IS but when she was found fit for work was advised to claim IS as a single parent but has since unsuccessfully claimed IS and JSA both being refused on the R2R.
We did fight to get her HB and CTB which are now in payment.

For reference. Social Services are misinformed. Section 17 (Children Act 1989) payments have not been abolished. Social Services are not under a duty to make s17 payments but have a power to make them if the circumstances are exceptional. This means looking at all the facts of a particular case and not fettering its discretion. Also, see s 17A.