This notice provides details of what information we collect from you, what we do with it, and who it might be shared with for the Household Support Fund.
Identity and contact details of the controller and the data protection officer
Falkirk Council is the data controller. You can contact the data protection officer at:
Frequently asked questions
Why do we collect this information?
The information is being collected for the following purposes:
- To provide you with direct financial support with your living costs.
- To enable us to monitor, assess and understand how successful we are in achieving the aims and objectives of the fund.
The legal basis for each purpose is set out below:
| Legal basis |
Purpose |
| Consent |
|
| Performance of a contract |
|
| Legal obligation |
|
| Vital interests |
|
| Task carried out in the public interest |
1, 2 |
| Legitimate interests |
|
What information do we collect about you?
We may collect the following information (but only where relevant to your particular circumstances):
- Name
- Address
- Date of Birth
- Contact details
- Bank details
- Income details
- National Insurance Number
- Council Tax account reference number
- Household composition
- Other additional information which is relevant to your personal circumstances
- We also keep copies of your communications with us and our responses.
Where do we collect information from?
We normally collect information directly from you (when you complete our online form) and/or from our trusted referral partner when they make a referral on your behalf.
To verify the information you give us, we also check information held by the Council's Revenues and Benefits team about your entitlement to Council Tax Reduction. To make sure we are providing the best support to you we also check against your Council Tax account to identify if you have any arrears. This allows us to direct your referral to the most appropriate team to support and assist you.
Who might we share your information with?
We will share limited information with the trusted partner who makes a referral for you. We will only share your basic information with them, information limited to making a decision on the referral (such as you confirming your eligibility) and the outcome of your referral.
The Council also has a duty to protect public funds. We may check your information within the Council for verification purposes and/or for the prevention of fraud. We may share your information with other organisations where we are required to do so for the purposes of the prevention or detection of crime.
Will we send your information outwith the UK?
We do not transfer your information outwith the UK.
How long do we keep hold of your information?
Records are retained for a period of six years.
What are my rights in relation to the information held about me?
You have the following rights:
- To see any information held about you by making a subject access request.
- To withdraw consent at any time, where the legal basis for processing is consent.
- To data portability, where the legal basis for processing is (i) consent or (ii) performance of a contract.
- To request rectification or erasure of your information, where data protection legislation allows this.
Do I have a right to complain about the way information has been used?
If you have a concern about the way we are collecting or using your personal data, please let us know and we will try to resolve this. If you are still concerned, you can contact the Information Commissioner:
Do I have to provide my personal data to you?
You do not have to provide information to us, but we may then not be able to provide you with a service.
Do you use any automated processes to make decisions about me?
We do not use automated decision making processes.
This notice was last updated in September 2023.