NORTHUMBERLAND EMERGENCY TRANSITION SUPPORT

WELCOME From 1 April 2013, Dawn Advice will be working in partnership with Five Lamps and Voices

Northumberland delivering the replacement scheme to the DWP Social Fund and Crisis Loans for Northumberland, under the branding Nets.

The purpose of today’s information workshop is to explain:

- Background

- How to apply

- Who will be eligible:

- Qualifying conditions for Emergency Support & details of the support that can be awarded

- Qualifying conditions for Transition Support & details of the support that can be awarded

- What the Exclusions are

- Application Process

- Out of Hours Support

- What support is still available elsewhere

BACKGROUND The Welfare Reform Act 2012 abolished the discretionary elements of the

Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) Social Fund (Crisis Loans for items and Daily Living Expenses and Community Support Grants)

Local Authorities were requested to design local provision and although there was no requirement to set up a scheme in a particular way, partnership working with the third sector was encouraged

Northumberland County Council responded to this challenge by advertising the commissioning opportunity to run the scheme from 1 April 2013

Following a competitive tendering process Dawn Advice, Five Lamps and Voices Northumberland were awarded the contract to deliver the scheme, called NETS on behalf of the Council

NETS: MAIN FEATURES The operation of NETS is at the Council’s discretion

Support for goods and services may take the form of a loan, a grant or a combination of the two depending upon an assessment of need and the applicants financial circumstances

Support will be through goods or services, only in very exceptional cases would cash be given

People do not have a statutory right to support from the NETS

The total amount available for loans and/or grants in any financial year through NETS is cash limited

Please note that even if an applicant meets the criteria an award will not always be given. Consideration will also be given to the balance available in the NETS budget . In doing this, the priority of each case will be compared to other applications

There is a duty not to overspend the annual budget and consideration will be given to each application on its individual merits

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE DWP SOCIAL FUND AND NETS

Awards will be made in the form of goods and services,NOT cash (only in exceptional circumstances)

Awards are dependent on funds available at the time of the application

Repayment of loans will no longer be deducted from the customers benefit payment

Awards will be made in the form of a loan or a grant (or combination of both) depending on affordability at the time of application

SUPPORT STILL AVAILABLE FROM DWP Short Term Advances (previously known as Crisis Loan alignment payments)

Supports people when they first make a benefit claim Provides an advance of their future benefit award Supports people who have experienced a change of circumstances that will increase the

amount of benefit to which they are entitled Supports people where the first benefit payment is for a shorter period than subsequent

payments In cases where it is impractical for benefit to be paid on the due date

Budgeting Loans (or Budgeting Advances for Universal Credit recipients) Support income-related benefit claimants who have been in receipt of such benefit for 26

weeks or more Emergency and unforeseen expenses (rent, furniture etc)

NETS

What sort of things can be supported?

Emergency Support

To prevent an immediate deterioration to an applicant’s health by providing short-term access to food, gas and electricity supply and limited supplies of clothing and baby consumables, such as nappies and milk.

Transition Support

To help applicants through periods of transition, for example, to remain in the community or move back into the community after a period in supported or unsettled accommodation. It does this by providing access to a range of standard items such as beds, bedding, furniture and white goods.

How to Apply

Dawn Advice

Telephone 0300 303 1931

Lines are open:Monday to Thursday 8:30am – 5pmFriday 8:30am – 4:30pmLines will be closed: Weekends & Bank HolidaysA call back facility will be available to those who request a return call

Online www.dawnadvice.org.uk

• Accessible 24/7, however applications will be assessed during normal assessment times only, which are:

Monday to Thursday 8:30am – 5pmFriday 8:30am – 4:30pmAssessment services are closed: Weekends & Bank Holidays

Who can Apply?Direct The Applicant

Evidence will need to be provided

3rd Party

Their Appointee / Carer / Advocate

Trusted Partners & Specialist ProvidersDeclaration by referrer either online or verbally that evidence of eligibility and need has been

seen and verified.

ELIGIBILITYWhat is the main Eligibility Criteria?

The funds available for support are limited, and therefore very specific eligibility criteria have been created in order for NETS to support those most in need.

Firstly, the applicant must be aged 16 years or over and be a resident of Northumberland, or in exceptional

circumstances be in the process of moving into the county to flee domestic violence, hate crime, forced marriage or honour based violence.

And secondly, there is a limit of 2 support awards that can be awarded per applicant, per financial year. (Only in extreme exceptional circumstances would a third application be considered)

Even if the applicant qualifies to make an application there is no guarantee that any support will be provided, although NETS would wish to be able to provide names of other services that may be able to offer support depending on the applicant’s own personal circumstances.

QUALIFYING CONDITIONSEmergency Support

Exceptional Event

An immediate need for items or services has arisen following an exceptional event or unforeseen circumstances involving the destruction or loss of property or possessions:

Eg. The applicant has suffered a disaster to their home such as • Major flooding• Gas explosion• House fireWhere serious damage has been caused to the home or the home is now uninhabitable

Health needs

As a direct result of the inability to afford the goods or services requested either the heath of the applicant or their partner will immediately deteriorate:

Applicant must also meet at least one of the following criteria: • Have a serious physical health problem, which they are receiving treatment for• Have a dependent child who normally lives with them and their health would be at immediate risk• Are homeless, or at risk of homelessness• Have a substance or alcohol misuse problem that they are receiving treatment for• Are on probation or receiving support relating to their offending history• Are affected by, or at risk of domestic abuse, hate crime, honour based violence or forced marriage• Have a learning disability• Have a physical or sensory impairment• Have a mental health problem, that they are receiving treatment for• Are aged 50 or over with support needs• Are 24 weeks or more pregnant

EVIDENCE COLLECTING

Emergency Support

Exceptional Event

Proof of Address

• Tenancy agreement• Mortgage Statement• Council Tax Bill• Utility Bill (Gas, Electricity, Water, Landline Telephone – [not a mobile]) • Proof of income (Letter from HMRC/Local Authority/Job Centre)

Evidence is to show applicants full name and address and be dated within 3 months of application.The address shown on the evidence must match the address provided on application.

Proof of Identity

• Driving Licence• Passport• Birth Certificate• Marriage Certificate• Decree Absolute

Proof of Need

• A Letter• A Claim Number

• An Inspection, Incident, Crime or Investigation Report• An Inspection, Incident, Crime or Investigation Reference No.

• From any of the following:

• Insurance Company• Police Force• Fire Brigade

• Utility Company• Northumberland County Council• Any other relevant body

Evidence CollectingEmergency Support

Health needs

Proof of Address

• Tenancy agreement• Mortgage Statement• Council Tax Bill• Utility Bill (Gas, Electricity, Water, Landline Telephone – [not a mobile]) • Proof of income (Letter from HMRC/Local Authority/Job Centre)

Evidence is to show applicants full name and address and be dated within 3 months of application.The address shown on the evidence must match the address provided on application.

Proof of Identity

• Driving Licence• Passport• Birth Certificate• Marriage Certificate• Decree Absolute

Proof of Need

• A Letter• A Document

• Or in exceptional cases where evidence cannot be provided, the contact details of their support worker in the relevant support agency

• From any of the following:

• GP• Hospital• Health Worker’s• Children/Adult Services• Education Provider• Solicitor

• Landlord• Mortgage Company• Northumberland Council• Probation Service• Northumbria Police Force• Any other relevant body

Evidence CollectingEmergency Support

Health needs

GP Hospital

Health

Worker’s

Children/Adult Services

Education

Provider

Solicitor

Landlord

Mortgage Company

Northumberland

Counc

il

Probation Service

Northumbria

Police Force

They have a serious physical health problem, which they are receiving treatment for x x x x

They are 24 weeks or more pregnant x x x x x

They have a dependent child under 16 who normally lives with them, who’s health would be at immediate risk x x x x x x x x

They have a learning disability x x x x x x x

They have a physical or sensory impairment x x x x x x x

They have a mental health problem, for which they are receiving treatment or support for x x x x x x

Evidence CollectingEmergency Support

Health needs

GP Hospita

l

Health

Worker’s

Children/Adult Services

Education Provider

Solicito

r

Landlord

Mortgage Company

Northumberland Counc

il

Probation Service

Northumbria

Police Force

They have a substance or alcohol misuse problem, for which they are receiving treatment or support for x x x x x x x

They are aged 50 or over with support needsx x x x x x x x

They are affected by, or at risk of domestic abuse, hate crime, honour based violence or forced marriage x x x x x x x x x

They are on probation or receiving support relating to their offending history x x x x x x

They are homeless, or at risk of homelessnessx x x x x x x

FORMS OF SUPPORTEmergency Support

Food (up to 7 days of support)

Voucher to be redeemed at a Supermarket(set value depending on circumstance)

Key consumables for babies(up to 7 days of support)

Voucher to be redeemed at a Supermarket(set value depending on circumstance)

Clothing(up to 7 days of support)

Pre-paid Love to Shop Voucher (set value depending on circumstance)

Heating(up to 7 days of support)

Pre-payment Voucher/Direct payment to Supplier(set value depending on circumstance)

Travel(return travel costs for specific event) Bus Voucher/Train Ticket/Arrangement of a Taxi

A decision within 2 hours (we would hope an immediate decision could be made in most cases)If the decision is made before 1pm then support will be provided the same day

If the decision is made after 1pm then support will be providing on the next working day

Transition

Health needs

As a direct result of the inability to afford the goods or services, the applicants health will immediately deteriorate

Applicants must also meet at least one of the following criteria: • Have a dependent child who normally lives with them and their health would be at immediate risk• Are homeless, or at risk of homelessness• Have a substance or alcohol misuse problem that they are receiving treatment for• Are on probation or receiving support relating to their offending history• Are affected by, or at risk of domestic abuse, hate crime, honour based violence or forced marriage• Have a learning disability• Have a physical or sensory impairment• Have a mental health problem, that they are receiving treatment for• Are aged 50 or over with support needs• Are 24 weeks or more pregnant

And also need;

Settlement

You require support to re/settle into community life within Northumberland:• Move back into the community after a stay in supported or temporary accommodation or following an unsettled way

of life as part of a planned resettlement programme• Move out of inappropriate accommodation• Stay in your home and prevent a move into residential care or hospital• Prevent a serious deterioration of health within the home• Ease exceptional pressures for an applicant and their family

QUALIFYING CONDITIONS

Qualifying ConditionsTransition

Settlement

• Move back into the community after a stay in supported or temporary accommodation or following an unsettled way of life as part of a planned resettlement programme

Examples of such accommodation are:• Hospital or other medical establishments• Care home• Hostel• Staff intensive sheltered housing• Local Authority care• Prison or detention centre• Short term supported housing• Bed and breakfast accommodation with a high level of

floating support

The applicant must also be establishing themselves in the community. Both the time spent in the accommodation (usually a minimum of 3 months or a pattern of frequent or regular admission) and the level of individual care and supervision provided whilst living in the accommodation will be taken into consideration by the deliverer when making a decision.

• Move out of inappropriate accommodation

Examples of inappropriate accommodation are:• Over or under occupation within the property and no other

form of assistance is available e.g. through a social housing provider

• Accommodation is deemed unsuitable for human habitation

• There is an unacceptable risk of domestic abuse, honour based crime, forced marriage within the home or hate crime

• Housing conditions will result in a serious deterioration in the health of the applicant or family member

Applicants may receive Settlement Support if it can be verified by a specialist provider that the applicant or a member of their family is living in accommodation that is no longer suitable for them.

Qualifying ConditionsTransition

Settlement

• Stay in your home and prevent a move into residential care or hospital

Applicants may receive Settlement Support if this will help them to stay in the community, rather than enter residential care or hospital. Some of the factors considered when making a decision will include:

• How immediate is the likelihood of going into such accommodation• How long the applicant is anticipated to remain in such accommodation• Whether the type of item or service required would prevent or delay entering such

accommodation• If the support will reduce the frequency of stays in such accommodation• Some examples of situations where support may be provided are:• Help with expenses for improving the home to maintain living conditions• Help to move to more suitable accommodation or to be nearer someone who can provide care

and support

• Prevent a serious deterioration of health within the home

Applicants may receive Settlement Support if the heath of the applicant or family member will significantly deteriorate as a direct result of the inability to afford the goods or services requested.

• Ease exceptional pressures for an applicant and their family

Examples include breakdown of relationships within the family (including domestic violence, honour based violence or forced marriage)

Transition

And must meet the following criteria;

Qualifying benefits

Be in receipt of one of the following benefits:• Income Support• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance• Income Related Employment Support Allowance• Any type of Pension CreditThe qualifying benefit or assessment may change with the introduction of Universal Credit

The applicant must also be moving into a property within the Northumberland Local Authority area.

AND;

Leaving supported accommodation

The applicant is leaving or is expected to be discharged within 6 weeks from accommodation in which they receive significant and substantial care and supervision from, and they will be expected to receive one of the benefits listed above.

The applicant must also be moving into a property within the Northumberland Local Authority area.

If they do meet these criteria and are therefore eligible, then they must have applied for a budgeting loan or advance from the DWP and have been declined before their application will be considered

Qualifying Conditions

Evidence CollectingTransition

Health needs

Proof of Address

• Tenancy agreement• Mortgage Statement• Council Tax Bill• Utility Bill (Gas, Electricity, Water, Landline Telephone – [not a mobile]) • Proof of income (Letter from HMRC/Local Authority/Job Centre)

Evidence is to show applicants full name and address and be dated within 3 months of application.The address shown on the evidence must match the address provided on application.

Proof of Identity

• Driving Licence• Passport• Birth Certificate• Marriage Certificate• Decree Absolute

Proof of Need

• A Letter• A Document

• Or in exceptional cases where evidence cannot be provided, the contact details of their support worker in the relevant support agency

• From any of the following:

• GP• Hospital• Health Worker’s• Children/Adult Services• Education Provider• Solicitor

• Landlord• Mortgage Company• Northumberland Council• Probation Service• Northumbria Police Force• Any other relevant body

Evidence CollectingTransition

Health needs

GP Hospital

Health

Worker’s

Children/Adult Services

Education Provider

Solicito

r

Landlord

Mortgage Company

Northumberland Counc

il

Probation Service

Northumbria Police Force

They have a serious physical health problem, which they are receiving treatment for x x x x

They are 24 weeks or more pregnant x x x x x

They have a dependent child under 16 who normally lives with them, who’s health would be at immediate risk x x x x x x x x

They have a learning disability x x x x x x x

They have a physical or sensory impairmentx x x x x x x

They have a mental health problem, for which they are receiving treatment or support for x x x x x x

Evidence CollectingTransition

Health needs

GP Hospita

l

Health Worker’s

Children/Adult Services

Education Provider

Solicito

r

Landlord

Mortgage Company

Northumberland Counc

il

Probation Service

Northumbria

Police Force

They have a substance or alcohol misuse problem, for which they are receiving treatment or support for x x x x x x x

They are aged 50 or over with support needsx x x x x x x x

They are affected by, or at risk of domestic abuse, hate crime, honour based violence or forced marriage x x x x x x x x x

They are on probation or receiving support relating to their offending history x x x x x x

They are homeless, or at risk of homelessnessx x x x x x x

Evidence CollectingTransition

Settlement Evidence

• Support to move back into the community after a stay in supported or temporary accommodation or following an unsettled way of life as part of a planned resettlement programme

• Contact details for the support worker from the relevant support agency/specialist provider which will then be verified

• Move out of inappropriate accommodation • Contact details for the support worker from the relevant support agency/specialist provider which will then be verified to show that the applicant or a member of their family is living in accommodation that is no longer suitable for them.

• Stay in your home and prevent a move into residential care or hospital

• Contact details for the support worker from the relevant support agency/specialist provider which will then be verified

• Prevent a serious deterioration of health within the home• Contact details for the support worker from the relevant support

agency/specialist provider which will then be verified• Letter from a healthcare professional

• Ease exceptional pressures for an applicant and their family• Contact details for the support worker from the relevant support

agency/specialist provider which will then be verified• Letter from a healthcare professional, councillor , solicitor, etc.

Transition

Qualifying benefits

Evidence• Benefit Letter showing entitlement to: Income Support Income Based Job Seekers Allowance Income Related Employment Support Allowance Any type of Pension CreditThe qualifying benefit or assessment may change with the introduction of Universal Credit

Leaving supported accommodation

• A letter outlining plans/new address details • Contact details for the support worker from the relevant support agency/specialist

provider which will then be verified

Moving into the community• A letter outlining plans/new address details • Contact details the relevant support agency/specialist provider which will then be

verified

Have applied for a Budgeting Loan or Advance from the DWP and been declined

• Declined letter from DWP• Access to CIS system for details to be verified

Evidence Collecting

Transition

White Goods(direct delivery)

• Goods

• Standalone Gas Cooker• Standalone Electric Cooker• 6KG 1200 Spin Washing Machine

• Undercounter Fridge• Undercounter Freezer• Freestanding Fridge Freezer

Furniture(direct delivery)

• 1 Seater Sofa• 2 Seater Sofa• Dining Table

• Pair of Dining Chairs• 2 Door Wardrobe• Set of Drawers

• Single Bed• Single Mattress• Double Bed

• Double Mattress• Bunk Beds• Cot

Small Electricals

• Goods

• Voucher

• Furniture recycling

• Conventional Microwave• Kettle• 2 Slice Toaster

• Iron• Upright Vacuum Cleaner

Bedding• Bedding set to fit bed or cot, as appropriate

Kitchen Equipment

• 3 Pan Set• Frying Pan• Utensils Set

• 16 piece Cutlery Set• 16 piece Crockery Set

Household Equipment • Ironing Board with Cover• Mop & Bucket

• Dust pan and brush• Tea Towels (Pack of 4)

Bathroom Equipment • 2 - 4 Hand towels • 2 - 4 Bath towels

Furnishings • Rug/Carpet • Curtains

FORMS OF SUPPORT

Transition

Travel • Travel VoucherReturn travel for specific event such as;• Hospital• Funeral• Prison Visit

Storage/ Removal • Goods• Storage costs for upto 7 days

Housing • Rent in Advance

• (Exceptional circumstance and direct referral from Housing Options or Similar provider only)

A decision within 5 working daysIf successful, awards will be provided from 48 hours of award decision being made

FORMS OF SUPPORT

EXCLUSIONSNETS

Limited to 2 awards per applicant for each financial year Court expenses

Not available to people under the age of 16 Removal or storage charges following a Compulsory P.O.

A need which occurs outside of Northumberland Debt to Government/ Local Authority

People with savings or investments Council Tax – payments; arrears

People in full-time education (unless receive qualifying benefit) Domestic assistance and respite care

Care home residents and hospital in-patients (unless as part of planned resettlement)

Holidays

Prisoners who are in prison or released on a temporary license Medical services

Persons who are members of and fully maintained by a religious order School – uniform; sports equipment; travel; meals

Foreign nationals with limited immigration status Telephone – purchase; installation; rental; call charges

Foreign nationals with no recourse to public funds TV/ Radio - license; ariel; rental charges

Work/ educational/ training expenses Car – garages; parking; running costs

UK nationals who are not habitually resident in the UK Housing (Including rent in advance)

In order to maximise NETS resources, any application eligible for other sources of public funding will generally not be considered.

NOT HAPPY?

NETs does not operate an appeals process

NETs is keen to have feedback on it’s services. Feedback, including suggestion, comment and complaint

on any aspect of the service should be made in the first instance to DAWN (Advice) on 0300 303 1931

Any Questions?

If Yes, then please find it on our website:

www.dawnadvice.org.uk

Would you like an electronic copy of this document?