What is ‘Local Connection'

•  The idea of local connection is that you have some connection to the Council that you are applying to, perhaps because of living in the area, work or family

•  It is important because if the Council finds that you do not have a local connection with its area but that you do have a local connection with another Council area, it can say that the other Council should help you

Proving a Local Connection

You need to show that you have a local connection because of one of the following reasons:

•  Living in the area. You usually need to show that you have lived in the area for six months out of the previous 12 months, or three years out of the previous five years. Living in an area because you were in prison or hospital there does not count because you were not there by choice.

•  Family. This should be close family who have lived in the area for at 5 five years

•  Work. If you work in the area this should be sufficient for local connection. However, temporary work may not be enough. If you work self-employed this can satisfy the rule if most of your work is in the Council's area.

•  Other Special Reason. This might, for example, be because you get special medical treatment in the Council's area

What if I have a Connection with more than one area?

In this case, the council should ask you where you prefer to go and take your views into account

What if I do not have a Local Connection with any area?

In this case, the Council you first apply to must help you.

What if Councils disagree?

In this case, the council you applied to first should continue to help you until the dispute is sorted out