Local Welfare Provision

LeicestershireLeicestershire Welfare Provision

Simon LawrenceProgramme DirectorLeicestershire County Council

12th September 2013

Presentation Content:

• Relevant context in Leicestershire• Year 1 arrangements and key metrics• Year 2 proposals• Questions/comments

Leicestershire

• Population of 650,500 with an above average older population

• Politics:• Two-tier County administration:

Conservative controlled County Council, 7 District Councils.

• Labour controlled unitary City Council• Conservative controlled Rutland County

Council

• The county is ranked 138 out of 149 top tier authorities in England for deprivation (where 1 is the most deprived).

• Leicestershire is relatively affluent county, but with some areas of deprivation concentrated in the former mining areas of the county and in parts of Loughborough

• Some issues of rural isolation and deprivation

How rural is Leicestershire?

Year 1: 2013/14 Value

Programme funding £886,854

Administrative funding £187,399

Year 2: 2014/15 Value

Programme funding £886,854

Administrative funding £171,771

Government Settlement for Leicestershire:

Approved scheme defined as:

1.Receive applications (by phone, web and referral)2.Process the application which would involve application of a points based eligibility criteria3.Grant award (vouchers, cash (Paypoint) for food/ fuel/ travel and bank transfer in extreme circumstances)

Options considered for year 1:(in order of preference)•A scheme run by District Councils linking to other emergency funds, Troubled Families service and other locality providers•A scheme run by the County Council’s Service Centre•Outsource to a third party provider

Key considerations:

•Confidence in having a scheme up and running for the 1st April 2013•Cost of administration•Nervousness about managing a significantly over subscribed service•Locality based solution and link to District Council emergency funds (Council Tax and Housing support)

Applications

Leicestershire & Northgate have helped over 400 people since the scheme was launched in April 2013

CONTACT CHANNEL

TYPE OF APPLICATION

Challenges

& Observations Fair and stable process – but one size fits all

Promise of a tailored service not fulfilled

Reporting on trends of awards and applications patchy

Control over fulfilment methods and related reporting to gain insight and link up with local support services

Year 1- Northgate

Limited additional costs – despite reputation

Good value for money

Options considered for year 2:(in order of preference)•A scheme run by District Councils•A scheme run by the Council’s Customer Service Centre•Service run by the voluntary sector•Tendering an outsourced contract

Key considerations:

•Formal link to District services (Housing, benefits), Troubled Families service and DWP •Integration of Credit Unions•Inclusion of Furniture Recycling Organisations into the fulfilment•Match funding in third sector with underspend, to support services addressing applicants underlying issues•Future funding uncertainty

Leicestershire Welfare Provision: Summary of Decision Filter

Filter 1: Minimum Eligibility

Qualifying Criteria

•Resident of Leics

•In receipt of benefits

•Had an emergency (flood, fire, crime)

•Fleeing a violent situation

Disqualifying Criteria

•Have previously claimed in last 12 months

•Have savings or capital in excess of £1500

•Have insurance to over emergency

Filter 2: Disqualifying Questions (as other funding is available)

If claim relates ONLY for one of the following, the applicant is disqualified : no emergency housing costs; medically related; work related expenses; debt repayments; vehicle costs; DWP sanction; TV/Radio/Internet costs

Filter 3: Reasons for request

The following circumstance have been weighted in descending order:

1. Acute domestic difficulties; help to stay in your home or community

2. Leaving a care home, hospital, prison

3. Minor home repairs to prevent significant discomfort (broken window); items to help settle in a new setting; fuel costs; food costs

Other help available - delay in benefit payments; rent and council tax support

Additional weighting will be given to those with a recognized long term condition, disability or mental illness, or those with children.

Filter 4: Household circumstances

Scoring & filter process

High, medium or low priority established