Community Support Grant Scheme Procedures

Transcription

1 Community Support Grant Scheme Procedures (1) Support Grant claims There are a number of different routes by which a person may qualify for a Support Grant. However, anyone requiring assistance with: housing costs in respect of shortfall in rent rent in advance bonds or deposits should be referred to the Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) Team. For a Support Grant to be considered the following two conditions must be satisfied: 1. The customer must be a resident of Coventry or have a link to Coventry. 2. The customer must be receiving, or be expected to receive: Income Support, or Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based), or Employment & Support Allowance (Income Related), or Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit or Savings Credit) This is to be verified *In order to avoid people claiming fraudulently across the country, a customer must be a resident of Coventry or be able to demonstrate a link to the city. However, consideration should be given to those who are fleeing domestic violence or resettling in Coventry. Support Grant Evidence Requirements General The customer's identity, name, address and family circumstances can be checked via council records Enquiries should be made to see if help or support can be obtained from another source (for example, Social Services, charities, voluntary organisations, etc). Has the person already received a CSG award? During the first few weeks of the scheme, a check should be made to see if the customer has a Community Care Grant request outstanding with the DWP, or has recently received a Community Care Grant for the same items. Can the need be met from another source? Does the person have recourse to funds, savings, owed money? If not, is there a more suitable fund to signpost the customer to? 1

2 If the customer has declared capital, there is no need to ask the customer to provide proof. If a customer has access to an amount of capital, including any overdraft facility, the amount they can access themselves will be deducted from the CSG award. Circumstances where a Support Grant can be considered 1. Leaving accommodation in which they receive significant and substantial care and supervision and expect to be discharged within 6 weeks and be expected to receive one of the benefits above This is where a person being discharged from hospital/prison/residential care, after receiving significant and substantial care and supervision after a long term stay, and returning to establish themselves in the community. Not only must the customer be leaving such accommodation, but also establishing themselves back in the community. We must consider: a) The time spent in the accommodation b) Level of individual care and/or supervision provided c) Are they returning to their previous home what items are already there? d) If they are moving to a new home what other support is available? Evidence Requirements Leaving Hospital Does the customer have any discharge paperwork? Has the hospital set up a discharge plan? Is the customer returning to their previous property or a new tenancy? If returning to their previous property, do they have furniture/household goods already? If a claim has been made before a new tenancy has been allocated, liaise with the support worker to arrange payment when the customer moves in Evidence Requirements Leaving Prison Does the customer have any discharge paperwork? Does the customer have a tenancy agreement or offer of tenancy? Is their evidence that the tenancy was found via Homefinder? Can the Probation Service confirm the circumstances? Establish with Probation/support worker what date the items are needed for. Is the customer returning to their previous property or a new tenancy? If returning to their previous property, do they have furniture/household goods already? If a claim has been made before a new tenancy has been allocated, liaise with the support worker to arrange payment when the customer moves in. Evidence Requirements Leaving Residential Care Does the customer have any paperwork relating to their move? Does the customer have a tenancy agreement or offer of tenancy? Is their evidence that the tenancy was found via Homefinder? Can a support worker confirm the circumstances? Establish with support worker what date the items are needed for. If a claim has been made before a new tenancy has been allocated, liaise with the support worker to arrange payment when the customer moves in Is the customer returning to their previous property or a new tenancy? 2

3 If returning to their previous property, do they have furniture/household goods already? 2. Help the customer (or family member/carer) to remain living in the community where there is a high risk of the person needing to enter residential accommodation This is where a grant may help a customer to stay in the community rather than enter accommodation to receive care. We must consider: a) How immediate is the likelihood of the person going into care? b) Will the item/s requested prevent the person from going into care? Some examples of where an award may be made are: Improve the customer s existing living conditions Enable them to move to accommodation more suitable Enable them to move nearer someone who can offer them support However, you must consider if a Discretionary Housing Payment would be an alternative, or whether there is an alternative fund to assist with accommodation moves. Evidence Requirements Has the customer been assessed by Social Services for a Disabled Facilities Grant? If someone does not qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant, then we cannot consider a Community Support Grant. Establish how the provision of the item(s) would prevent the customer going into care. 3. Help the customer set up home in the community as part of a planned resettlement programme following a period where they have been without a settled way of life The award must help the customer, who has been without a settled way of life, to achieve a settled way of life by setting up home in the community. The home may not be a permanent home. For example, customers moving into assured shorthold tenancies and customers moving into temporary accommodation that will lead to permanent accommodation may be able to satisfy the conditions. The home must be in the community; customers moving into care/nursing/residential homes cannot qualify. If an award is to help the customer set up home, the customer must be about to move home or must be in the process of setting up home. Awards will be made for household furnishings and equipment. How do you decide if the person is still setting up their home? You must consider: 3

4 a) How long has the customer been living in the property? b) What furniture/equipment is there already in the home? c) How has s/he managed so far without the requested items? Example 1 Mrs J moved into a new flat 12 weeks ago. She has a camp bed and a sleeping bag but nothing else. She goes to friend s house in the day where she can cook a meal and do her washing. Mrs J has not long moved onto her flat. She has so little in it that she spends most of her time at her friend s. Clearly, Mrs J is still setting up home. Example 2 Mr T moved into his home 14 months ago. While he has been resident he has obtained a cooker, bed, bedding, a chair and some smaller items. He does not have any carpets or curtains and items such as a fridge. He is in good health and is able to wash his clothes in the bath. He says it does not feel like home without any privacy or comfort. Mr T has been living in his home for a considerable time. He has basic cooking, sleeping, seating facilities which allow him to live in his home. Although he is lacking a number of items he is no longer setting up home. As part of a planned resettlement programme This means that any award must help the customer to set up home as part of a planned resettlement programme and that: must involve helping the customer to set up home, and must involve broader activities / actions designed to help the customer stay in the community There are a number of organisations that may run / be involved in assisting in a resettlement programme. However there must be a planned programme of things that are intended to happen in order to help an customer resettle and the customer must actively participate in the plan. Planned programmes of resettlement may be run by the Council, Government bodies, voluntary organisations, housing associations and registered charities. The planned programme must go beyond helping the customer to set up home and must involve additional elements of support that can address a wide range of different issues dependent of the customer s particular circumstances. They should also include equipping the customer with the skills and knowledge s/he needs to sustain a settled way of life in the community. It is not enough for the customer to have access to the different kinds of help as they need it, there must be a programme of help/actions. Some public sector landlords provide tenancy support programmes that only go as far as helping the customer set up home. However where a tenancy support programme involves additional elements of support, such as equipping the customer with the skills and knowledge s/he needs to sustain a settled way of life in the community, it may satisfy the requirements of the direction. 4

5 Example 1 A week ago Mr X moved into an unfurnished property with nothing, after a long period of rough sleeping. He contacted a local charity for the homeless which has drawn up a planned resettlement programme which he is now following. The first stage of the programme involves setting up home for Mr X. Later in the programme the worker will be helping Mr X develop a range of life skills and will be working with him to address his addiction to alcohol. Example 2 While living at a hostel Ms F has successfully completed a structured plan of rehabilitation, including development of independent life skills. She is now ready to move on. She has been found a place to live and has had help applying for a CSG. When she moves the support from the hostel will end. Without a settled way of life This means that the customer must be setting up home following a period during which s/he has been without a settled way of life. The fact that someone has not had settled accommodation for a time does not automatically mean that they have been without a settled way of life. An unsettled period must have lasted long enough to have become a way of life. For example, an customer who was evicted from a longstanding tenancy who, after staying with their parents for a month, obtains a new tenancy, will not satisfy this requirement. When deciding whether an customer has an unsettled way of life a wide range of circumstances may be relevant. This will include: a) The places they have stayed b) The types of accommodation involved c) The periods spent in each place d) The reasons for leaving e) Any other factors that may affect their ability to lead a settled life As a guide, someone with an unsettled way of life may have been: o using a night shelter o staying in a hostel o sleeping on the streets o temporary Home Office accommodation pending an asylum decision o using an emergency winter shelter o using a temporary supported lodging scheme Example 1 Miss P is 22 and has always lived with her mother. They live in cramped accommodation, both have significant health problems and they have frequent, heated arguments. Miss P wants to move to different accommodation. Miss P has lived in the same home for years albeit that she faces difficult circumstances. She has not been without a settled way of life so will not meet these requirements. However, she may qualify if the award will ease exceptional pressures on her and her mother. 5

6 Example 2 Mr T lost his home when he was divorced. He spent several months sleeping on friends sofas before taking a place in a hostel. He has been living in the hostel for a year because there is a shortage of alternative accommodation. As soon as a suitable place becomes available Mr T will be required to leave the hostel. Mr T s life became unsettled following his divorce. Although he has been living in a hostel for some time, the hostel provides temporary accommodation only. He cannot choose to live there long term and will be required to leave at short notice once an alternative tenancy becomes available. Mr T is still without a settled way of life so will meet these requirements. Evidence Requirements Ask the customer s support worker or the organisation supporting the customer for confirmation of the different elements and stages of the customer s programme, rather than general evidence about what the organisation does for its clients. Where things have already happened, the evidence should show not just that they happened, but they were planned as part of the programme. Ensure that you are satisfied that the customer is actively participating in the programme. Ask the support worker or organisation to document how the customer has had an unsettled way of life. 4. Ease exceptional pressure on the customer or/and family This could be where: 1. there is, or has been, a breakdown of relationships within the family including issues arising from domestic violence 2. domestic upheaval because of unforeseen circumstances such as a serious house fire, major flooding, a gas explosion or other disaster Evidence Requirements Relationship Breakdown In cases of domestic violence, it is possible that the customer will have a support worker who can confirm the circumstances surrounding the application. If there is no support worker or organisation involved, we should arrange to interview the customer to establish the facts. Officers should show sensitivity where a customer has fled their previous home due to domestic violence and consider that they may be unwilling or unable to return to that home to collect essential items. In domestic violence cases where children are deemed to be at risk, there is alternative Local Authority funding available. LAs can provide financial assistance under section 17 of the Children Act. Such assistance might include: o Cash for new clothes for children o Cash for travel to get away from a violent partner o Assistance with fitting new locks, getting a telephone or alarm system o Transport to a refuge Evidence Requirements Disaster Has the customer got household insurance which will cover the cost of replacement items? 6

7 Can we obtain proof of the incident, such as confirmation of the fire/flood/explosion from the emergency services? Is there an incident report? Can the landlord/housing association confirm the incident? Can the customer provide photographs of the damage? Where an officer has insufficient information they could visit the customer s home. 5. Assisting with travel expenses Help with travel expenses will be only be given in extreme circumstances and any other options to fund the travel should be sought first. An award may only be considered in the following situations: a) to visit a relative who is terminally ill b) to attend a close relative s funeral (mother/father/brother/sister/daughter/son) c) visit a child who is living with another parent pending a court decision You will need to be satisfied that the reason for the travel is an urgent need and cannot be met from any other source. Award Values The value of the award will be at the discretion of the LA but will be based on standard prices for the items required including, where appropriate, the cost of delivery and installation. The amount of the award will be reduced by any declared capital, including any available overdraft they may have. Support Grants will be made for the provision of: Essential furniture items Utility connection charges Removal charges (in relation to a CSG claim) Travel costs (in exceptional circumstances only) Administration When the Community Support Grant Officer has agreed to award a Support Grant, they will make arrangements as follows: For essential furniture items issue the customer with an Argos card to cover the cost of the items requested For utility connection charges For removal or storage charges corporate contract For travel costs (in exceptional circumstances) WM Travel scratchcard or train tickets Coventry Foyer CSG claims Coventry Foyer provides accommodation for young people aged and provides support and training. Their aims are: 7

8 To provide a safe and secure supported housing environment where young people can be assisted to reach their full potential. To give young people a chance to improve the quality of their lives whilst working towards independence To help people who may be socially excluded to become valued members of the community The Coventry Foyer provides an extensive link / key worker system which all residents will be expected to actively participate in. If the applicant is only in need of housing and does not have any support or employment and training needs, they may not be appropriate for the Foyer. Support is given to young people to equip them with the social and practical skills to move into the adult world and can be resident with the Foyer for up to 2 years. Community Support Grants can be applied for to support young people when moving into their first accommodation, thus resettling into the community. This falls within the scope of the CSG scheme and supports the Council's vision and objectives for jobs and growth, supporting young people and protecting vulnerable residents. Generally, claims will be successful where: 1. The young person is on a qualifying benefit even if they have been in receipt of the benefit for more than 26 weeks and, therefore, could claim a budgeting loan. This is because we do not want to put a young vulnerable person in debt at time when they are securing their first adult home and need to get used to budgeting on benefits. 2. We have checked that the items requested have not been sourced from another fund or have already been bought (the Foyer encourages the person to save and buy items in readiness for securing a property). 3. The support worker / applicant supplies evidence of the support plan and details of any on-going support. 4. A tenancy has been secured and there is a moving in date. Deciding what to award Essential Items to include: Bed/Bedding Small fridge Mini Cooker with hob (no microwave if cooker awarded) we will need to liaise with the support worker to let them know that this is what we are awarding 8

9 (2) Crisis Award claims A crisis is an unforeseen circumstance or emergency which means that the customer does not have sufficient funds to meet the immediate needs of them or their family, and the customer has no other way to prevent serious risk to the health and safety of them or their family. The customer should state what the serious risk to their health and safety is. Officers will not usually need to ask for proof, unless they have reason to doubt the customer. Eligibility A customer does not need to be in receipt of any DWP benefits to apply for a Crisis Award, nor do they have to be a householder, but there are some eligibility requirements. In order to be able to apply for a Crisis Award the customer must: Be a resident of Coventry. This can be established by an existing address or from a support agency/social worker/police officer assisting the person (*see note below). Be aged 16 or over Be without sufficient funds to meet their immediate short-term needs due to an emergency or disaster Have no other means to prevent serious risk to the health and safety of themselves or their family Not be in an excluded group (see further notes: Crisis Award Excluded Groups) *In order to avoid people claiming fraudulently across the country, a customer must be a resident of Coventry or be able to demonstrate a link to the city. However, consideration should be given to those who are fleeing domestic violence or resettling in Coventry. A Crisis Award will most likely be considered in the following situations: A major disaster such as a serious fire, flood or explosion at their home (this would not include less serious incidents such as a leak from a washing machine or a small fire contained to one room only) Theft of money/purse/wallet/etc Loss of money/purse/wallet/etc Spent money Crisis Awards will only be made for the provision of: Food (including baby needs such as formula milk and nappies) Electricity/Gas (pre-payment card top-up) Other forms of support in exceptional circumstances (for example, travel costs) Customers will only receive a maximum of two awards in any one financial year. However, in exceptional circumstances (for example, a disaster), a further application may be considered. Customers who make repeat applications for Crisis Awards should be signposted to money management advice. Crisis Award Excluded Groups The following groups are excluded from claiming a Crisis Award: people in hospital and care homes 9

10 prisoners and people lawfully detained members of a religious order who are fully maintained by the order people who have made two applications for Crisis Awards within the same financial year people in education who are not entitled to IS, JSA(IB) or ESA(IR) persons from abroad (someone who fails or would fail the habitual residence test for the purpose of IS, JSA(IB), ESA(IR) or PC) people subject to certain disallowances or sanctions to their IS, JSA, ESA or PC IMPORTANT Alignment cases A Local Authority Crisis Award CANNOT be considered where: Customer or partner has claimed a DWP benefit and are awaiting their first payment Customer or partner have switched from one DWP benefit to another and are awaiting the first payment of the new benefit Customer s DWP benefit has ended because they have started work, and they are awaiting their first wage payment Customer s DWP benefit has not been paid due to a technical problem in processing their claim or payment If either of the above circumstances apply, the customer should be advised to contact the DWP for assistance in the form of a loan called a Short-term Advance. General Evidence Requirements Crisis Awards The customer's identity, name, address and family circumstances can be checked via council records A check should be made to see if the customer has had a previous award from the LA. During the first few weeks of the scheme, a check should be made to see if the customer has a Crisis Loan request outstanding with the DWP. If the customer has declared capital, there is no need to ask the customer to provide proof. If a customer has access to an amount of capital, including any overdraft facility, the amount they can access themselves will be deducted from the CSG award. Where a customer has had money stolen, or they have lost their money, we will ask them if they have reported the theft/loss to the police. We should call 101 (nonemergency police number) to verify. We should also ask the customer to provide an up-to-date mini statement. Where the customer has spent their money, we should not expect the customer to provide receipts for their expenditure. The customer will need to explain what the risk to health and safety is. The customer should be asked if they can get help from any other source such as family, friends, etc. 10

11 If a customer completes a Crisis Award application on a Friday but we are not able to look at the claim until the following Monday, we should ring the customer to ask if they still want help from us. Award Values The value and the period of the award will depend on the individual need. An award is intended to help the customer until they are next due money (for example, their next benefit payment or wage payment). It is expected that an award should not exceed a period of 14 days. If a customer has available capital, the award will be reduced by the amount of capital they hold. A Crisis Award amount will depend on several factors: How long the need is for? (i.e. how many days to go before the customer's next benefit payment is due?) What is the size of the customer's family? How much food does the customer already have and how long is it expected to last? Has the customer got any capital to meet the need? Any declared capital (including available overdraft) will be deducted from the amount of the award. Is there anyone else (family, friends, etc) who can help the customer? (i.e. by giving them food or lending them money?) Crisis Award Calculation (Food) The amount payable for food will be based on the weekly amounts ineligible for meals (full board) under HB legislation. April 2013 rates: Single claimant Each person in family aged 16 or over Each child under

12 Example Calculation 2: Administration When the Community Support Grant Officer has agreed to make a Crisis Award, they will make arrangements as follows: For food/nappies/formula milk Tesco cards are to be issued For utility supply Paypoint procedure CRISIS AWARD EXAMPLES Example 1 Lost money Miss B is a lone parent with two children aged 7 and 1. She receives Income Support. She has applied for a Crisis Award because she has lost her purse. She says that she needs to buy food and nappies. She has asked for 25 for food and 10 for nappies. From the claim, we establish that: She is due to get her next IS payment in 6 days. She has a bank account but is at her overdraft limit. She has no friends or family that can she can borrow from. She feels that there is a serious risk to the health of her family if they do not eat, especially as she has a baby. Action required: 1. Call 101 (non-emergency police number) to establish that the customer has reported the loss to the police and obtain the circumstances of the loss. 2. Ask customer to provide an up-to-date bank/building society mini statement. 3. Confirm her benefits from CIS. 4. Establish when she is next due to receive Child Tax Credit and/or Child Benefit? Is she due these payments before she is next due her IS? 12

13 5. If CTC or CHB is due before the next IS payment, the customer only needs help from us until CTC/CHB is received. 6. If, however, CTC/CHB is due after the next IS payment, calculate a crisis award for her and her children for 6 days Contact the customer to arrange collection of Tesco cards from Cashiers at the Council House. Advise customer that they will need to provide ID to collect. Example 2 Stolen money Mr C is a single man who receives ESA(IR). He has applied for a Crisis Award because his wallet has been stolen, containing 60. He says that he needs assistance for food and credit for his electricity meter. He has asked for 60 (the amount stolen) for food and 10 for his electricity meter. From the claim, we establish that: He is due to get his next ESA payment in 3 days He has no bank account; only a building society account with a balance of He has no friends or family that he can borrow from. He feels that there is a serious risk to his health if he does not eat because he is on medication which needs to be taken with food. Action required: 1. Call 101 (non-emergency police number) to establish that the customer has reported the theft to the police and obtain the circumstances of the theft. 2. Ask customer to provide an up-to-date bank/building society mini statement. 3. Confirm his benefits from CIS. 4. Calculate a crisis award for food and reduce the award by 5.50 (available to customer from building society account). 5. Organise electricity top-up card 6. Contact the customer to arrange collection of Tesco cards from Cashiers at the Council House. Advise customer that they will need to provide ID to collect. Example 3 Alignment Mr D is a single man who has claimed a Crisis Award because he has no money to buy food. He states that he recently became unemployed and claimed JSA 10 days ago but has not heard anything about his claim yet. Action required: As this is an alignment case, Mr D should be referred to the DWP to apply for a Short-Term Advance rather than a Crisis Award from the LA. Example 4 Disaster (fire) Mrs E lives with her partner and one child aged 3. She has applied for a Crisis Award because her house has suffered a fire and they are currently living with a friend until they can move back in. They will also need replacement furniture and white goods and have applied for a Community Support Grant for help with these items. Their immediate need is food, however, because their friend cannot afford to feed them. Mrs E receives JSA(IB) and she has asked for 100 for food. From the claim, we establish that: She is due to get her next JSA payment in 7 days. 13

14 She has a bank account but is at her overdraft limit. Her partner does not have a bank account. They have no friends or family that can they can borrow from. She feels that there is a serious risk to the health of her family if they do not eat, especially as she has a young child. Action required: 1. Prioritise the crisis award. The support grant request does not need to be dealt with the same day. 2. Confirm the disaster by contacting emergency service contact 3. Confirm her benefits from CIS. 4. Establish when CTC/CHB is next due and adjust the period of time the crisis award is for depending on when these benefits are due (see Example 1). 5. Calculate a crisis award for food. 6. Contact the customer to arrange collection of Tesco cards from Cashiers at the Council House. Advise customer that they will need to provide ID to collect. General Guidance on Deciding a Community Support Grant / Crisis Award You should consider the full circumstances before deciding whether or not to award a CSG. You should take into account the following: Support Grants The exceptional nature of the customer and their family's circumstances. The financial, medical and social circumstances of the customer and their household. The proximity of essential services relied upon by the customer and their family to their home. Any reasons which make it necessary or especially desirable for the customer to occupy their current home. Is the customer entitled to a Disabled Facilities Grant? Whether the payment of a CSG will: o keep a family together o support a young person in the transition to adult life o assist in the safeguarding of a vulnerable person Is the customer's expenditure deemed to be above the basic living requirements? If their expenses seem high, can the customer explain why? Can the customer reduce expenditure on non-essential items? Are there any savings or investments held by the customer and/or their household which could be used to help their financial situation? Are there any friends or family members external to the household who could help the customer financially? Are the customer and their household entitled to any other welfare benefits but are not claiming them? Would a CSG prevent homelessness? Is the customer fleeing domestic abuse? If there are children at risk, there is Section 17 funding available. Is the customer a care leaver? If so, signpost to alternative funding. Is the customer or a member of their household subject to Social Services intervention? Is the customer or a member of their household undertaking care duties in the area? 14

15 Is the customer an ex-offender, or a former member of the armed forces, who is having difficulty finding suitable accommodation? Is the customer making any steps to help themselves? Has the customer sought advice from other agencies to alleviate the situation, such as CAB or Welfare Rights? The level of funding that remains. Crisis Awards The financial, medical and social circumstances of the customer and their household. Is the customer making any steps to help themselves? Is the customer's expenditure deemed to be above the basic living requirements? If their expenses seem high, can the customer explain why? Can the customer reduce expenditure on non-essential items? Are there any savings or investments held by the customer and/or their household which could be used to help their financial situation? Are there any friends or family members external to the household who could help the customer financially? Are the customer and their household entitled to any other welfare benefits but are not claiming them? Has the customer sought advice from other agencies to alleviate the situation, such as CAB or Welfare Rights? The level of funding that remains. The Application Process A claim for a Community Support Grant or Crisis Award can be made: Via the Coventry City Council website By telephone* *Where a customer is unable to claim on-line they can claim by telephone. The calls will be taken by Community Support Grant Officers who will complete an on-line claim form as directed by the customer. Customers who attend the council offices to make a claim and who are unable to claim on-line, can be directed to the telephones in the Housing Centre where they can contact the Community Support Grant Officers who will take the claim. Claim received on behalf of customer Due to the circumstances surrounding a Support Grant claim, a claim may be received from a representative of the customer rather than the customer themselves. For example, a claim might be made by a customer's support worker where the customer is leaving prison or hospital. If an officer has cause to doubt the validity of the claim, and the customer cannot be contacted, the officer should be able to confirm the identity of the support worker/care worker from a list of trusted third parties supplied by the LA. 15