Coronavirus and…

Local Welfare Provision City Region

Additional Local Services have been developed to support people during the Coronavirus Pandemic in Liverpool City Region.

Get coronavirus support as a clinically extremely vulnerable person: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

Support and help if you cannot leave your home

Liverpool City Council – Liverpool Good Neighbour Scheme - Call 0151 233 3066. Or you can make a request by using online form at

https://forms.liverpool.gov.uk/contour -forms/support-request-eform

Sefton Council – Call 0345 140 0845 or fill in an online form https://forms.sefton.gov.uk/covid19referral/

Knowsley Council –Community Support & Volunteer Line - 0800 073 0043 or complete the online request form https://www.knowsleynews.co.uk/community-hub/

St Helens Council - Call 01744 676767

Wirral Council - Wirral Coronavirus Helpline – Call 0151 666 5050 or email: [email protected]

Halton Council – Call 0151 907 8363 (8am to 8pm everyday) https://webapp.halton.gov.uk/generalenquiry/

We are funded by:

Free School meals

Liverpool City Council - https://liverpool.gov.uk/communities-and-safety/emergency- planning/coronavirus/schools-and-education/free-school-meal-vouchers/

Sefton Council - https://www.sefton.gov.uk/schools-learning/grants-and-funding/free- school-meals.aspx School Admissions and Pupil Support team on 0151 934 3263/3246

Knowsley Council - https://www.knowsley.gov.uk/residents/education-and- schools/school-meals-and-menus

St Helens Council – 01744 676666. https://onlineforms.sthelens.gov.uk/victoriaforms/ViewerVicForms.asp?user=anon&For m=FSM%20CLAIM%203.wdf

Wirral Council – Parents of eligible children will be contacted by their child’s school.

Halton Council - Phone: 0151 511 7188. https://cyp.halton.gov.uk/Synergy/Live/SynergyWeb/Parents/default.aspx

Free meals and the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund

Free meals in further education remains an entitlement and institutions must ensure that all students entitled to a free meal are provided with one. Institutions can give additional support to students eligible for a free meal from the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund, if the Institution assesses they meet the criteria for bursary for vulnerable groups or the discretionary bursary. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals- guidance/covid-19-free-schoolmeals-guidance-for-schools

During the coronavirus outbreak free school meal eligibility will include some children of groups who have no recourse to public funds (NRPF).

They are temporarily extending eligibility to some children of failed asylum seekers supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance/guidance- for-thetemporary-extension-of-free-school-meals-eligibility-to-nrpf-groups

Emergency Funds

If you find yourself in crisis you can apply for support to get food and basic necessities

Liverpool City Council - Liverpool Citizen Support Scheme - Call 0800 456 1523 or 0151 233 3053. Mayoral Hardship Fund - Call 0800 456 1523.

Sefton Council – Emergency Limited Assistance Scheme – online application form https://forms.sefton.gov.uk/elas/ or call 0151 934 3377

Knowsley Council - If you are in an emergency situation and need help with food – Call 0151 538 8243. For help with Gas and Electric you must apply online https://www.knowsley.gov.uk/online-services

St Helens Council – Discretionary Welfare Assistance Scheme - complete the online application form. https://www.sthelens.gov.uk/benefits/welfare-assistance-scheme/ or contact us on 01744 676666

Wirral Council – Local Welfare Assistance – apply online https://www.wirral.gov.uk/benefits-and-money/local-welfare-assistance

Halton Council – Discretionary Support Scheme - Call 0800 952 0016 or email [email protected] for advice.

Council Tax Support

As part of the money put forward by the government, Local Authorities will receive a grant of £500 million split between them to support economically vulnerable individuals and households. Most of this funding is being used to provide more council tax relief.’ It is up to the local authority of each individual council to decide whether residents in that borough will receive help in paying council tax or receive full council tax relief during the coronavirus pandemic.

Charitable Grants

Many charities offer non-repayable grants to help individuals on low incomes. Eligibility can be checked here: https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP’s)

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) can give you short term help to pay your rent when Housing Benefit or Universal Credit does not meet your rent in full.

Liverpool City Council – Apply online - https://liverpool.gov.uk/benefits/housing- benefits/discretionary-housing-payments/

Sefton Council – Apply online - https://forms.sefton.gov.uk/dhpehpform/

Knowsley Council- Apply - https://www.knowsley.gov.uk/residents/benefits-and- grants/housing-benefit/discretionary-housing-payments

St Helens Council – Apply online - https://www.sthelens.gov.uk/benefits/discretionary- housing-payments/ or telephone 01744 676666 for further advice.

Wirral Council – Apply online - https://www.wirral.gov.uk/benefits-and-money/housing- benefit/discretionary-housing-payments

Halton Council – Apply online - https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/CouncilandBenefits/Discretionary%20Housing%20P ayments.aspx or email [email protected] to request a copy of the form. A hard copy can be obtained from Halton Direct Link or call the Benefits Service on 0151 907 8302.

Extra Help via Universal Credit (UC) and other benefits

Speak to your Work Coach or Personal Adviser or call the UC Helpline on 0800 328 5644 or Job Centre if you are on benefits that are not UC.

• Advance payments - If you do not have enough to live on while you wait for your first payment you can ask for an advance payment after you’ve made a claim.

• UC Change of circumstances Advance - Changes can affect how much Universal Credit you get. If your payment will go up, you can ask for an advance payment if you need the extra money before your next payment date.

• Hardship Payments - You can also ask for a hardship payment if you cannot pay for rent, heating, food or hygiene needs because you got a sanction. You need to pay Advance and Hardship payments back through your benefit payments - they’ll be lower until you pay it back.

• Alternative Payment Arrangements - If you’re having financial difficulties or you’re behind on your rent, you or your landlord may be able to apply for an Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA).

• Budgeting Advance/Loan - You might be able to get a Budgeting Advance/Loan to help with emergency household costs such as replacing a broken cooker, getting a job or staying in work or funeral costs. You’ll repay it through your regular benefit payments. You need to have been claiming benefits for at least 6 months.

• The Flexible Support Fund (FSF) - is a fund offered at the discretion of Jobcentre Plus advisers. You may be able to get help for work related requirements like travel expenses, training courses, clothing for interviews, childcare, uniforms and work tools.

Raise provides free and confidential advice to anyone who lives in the Liverpool City Region. Please ring our administration line on 0151 482 2475 or email us on [email protected] or to make an initial referral. Of the individual can go direct to our website and fill out the details for the contact form https://www.benefitsadviceteam.co.uk/contacts/