1. Local Welfare Provision Sandwell MBC Policy

2. Contents  Local Welfare Provision (LWP) Local Welfare Provision Scheme Target Group Criteria Requests How it works

3. Local Welfare Provision Scheme  LWP replaces Crisis Loans and Community Care Grants previously provided by DWP  From 1.4.13 customers will need to apply to the LA and not DWP  LWP is a Discretionary Scheme  It does not replicate the Social Fund

4. Local Welfare Provision Scheme  A set amount for the year has been given to LA’s to administer LWP for 2013  This will be split into the following Planned Support Responsive and Hardship Support

5. LWP – Target Group  LWP will assist vulnerable people of Sandwell to: Meet their needs for subsistence or Financial Support or Assistance to maintain their independence  The overall intension is to use LWP to compliment existing support from the LA and its partners

6. LWP – Target Group  Under LWP consideration will be given to: Vulnerable young people into adult life Safeguarding residents in their home Help those trying to help themselves Keep families together / Child stability Prevent homelessness Personal Crisis / Difficult events Domestic Violence

7. Excluded from Scheme  The following people are excluded from the scheme Prisoners Members of religious orders Full time students* Persons from Abroad* People who’s qualifying benefit has been sanctioned* * except in very limited circumstances

8. Eligibility Criteria  To be eligible for LWP under either planned or responsive support, a person must:  Be over 18  Have been living in Sandwell continuously for two years prior to applying This must be demonstrated

9. Eligibility Criteria  Must be in receipt of a qualifying benefit Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance Income based Employment Support Allowance Income Related Pension Credit Guarantee.  There is no capital limit but capital will form part of a decision

10. What Can Be Requested  Under LWP no cash payments will be awarded  LWP is for goods such as: White goods  Fridge, cooker, washing machine Kitchen equipment  Pots and pans, kettle, toaster, cutlery Furniture  Suites, tables and chairs, beds and bedroom furniture

11. What Can Be Requested  LWP can assist with: Emergency fuel Travel Food  In some circumstances help can be given for repairs to property  Applications are limited to 2 in 12 months

12. How it works  Anyone who would like assistance through LWP must be referred  Referrals will be made through: The five Housing Offices (Oldbury excluded) The Adults Assist Call Centre  The referral is made through a web based system - Northgate LWP

13. How it Works  The Officer taking the referral goes through an Eligibility Checker on the LWP system  Questions are Yes and No Each positive answer is scored  At the end, the Eligibility Checker will add the score on the referral and show if the application ‘May Qualify’ or ‘Will not Qualify’

14. How it Works  If the outcome is they are ‘Will not Qualify’, the decision is printed off. There are ‘sign posts’ on the decision for organisations that may be useful  CAB  Police  Revenues and Benefits  Welfare Rights  DWP

15. How it Works  If the outcome is ‘May Qualify’ a further of questions are completed (Assisted Interview) Household make up  Partner  Kids Income / capital details Debts If they rent – Landlord details

16. How it Works  The referral picked up by the Central Unit, who will process the application  The award will depend upon the needs and eligibility of the customer  If the referral is successful the customer and supplier will be notified of the decision  Food requests - West Bromwich Food Bank

17. How it Works  Travel Requests – Housing Offices will hold day saver travel cards  Fuel Requests – Vouchers through Pay Point  Others requests – Through Community Transport Trust, Marbles or Loaves and Fishes  Repairs – Housing Services?

18. How it Works  If the referral is unsuccessful the customer will be notified  This decision is subject to review if the customer is not happy  To request a review the customer must put this in writing and send it to the Central Unit

19. The End Any Questions?