Crisis Support Awards

 

Who can get Crisis Support?

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You may be able to get Crisis Support if:​

• ​you have suffered a disaster to your home such as flooding or a house fire; OR​

• your health or the health of your partner or a dependent child who lives with you will immediately deteriorate if you do not receive support.  

 

You, or your partner who lives with you, must also either: 

• have health issues which you are receiving treatment or support for;

• live with a dependent child or be pregnant; or 

• have another support need which you are being supported with

 

We will look at your household finances.  You will not normally qualify if you are:

• able to afford the items you are asking for; 

• able to get financial help from another source

 

You must be allowed to receive public funds.

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What support will I get?​

 

If you qualify, we may be able to help you with:​

• Top ups for prepayment gas and electric meters

• Pay As You Go mobile top up

• Baby milk and nappies

• Emergency Clothing

• Emergency Travel

 

In most cases, Crisis Support will last for no more than 7 days. 

 

We will also talk to you about other services that may be able to help.  

 

With your agreement, we can put you in touch with other services to support you.  This may help you deal with your current crisis and reduce the chance of another crisis in the future.​​

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How do I apply for Crisis Support?

 

Call our team on 0800 058 4055. 

 

Opening times:

Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays

10am-1pm and 2pm-4pm

 

Someone who is supporting you, such as a support worker, can call for you. 

 

If you cannot use a telephone or cannot speak to us on the phone, you can visit our Darlington office to apply.

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What information will I need?

 

You will need to provide information about you, your household and your finances:

• Proof of your name and address, such as, driving licence, Universal Credit statement, benefit letter, utility bill, bank statement

• Confirmation of your household income, such as, Universal Credit payment statement, benefit award letters, recent bank, building society or credit union statements

• Confirmation of your household’s financial situation, such as, recent bank, building society or Credit Union statement or ATM slip showing the balance in your account(s)

• Balance(s) on your prepayment meter(s), if you are asking for help with gas and/or electric.  If you can take a photo of this information on your in home display, meter or a screenshot of your energy app.

• A way to top up your gas and/or electric prepayment meter, such as a gas or electricity top-up card, key, barcode or MRN, if you are asking for help with gas and/or electric.

 

If you have problems providing this information, please speak to the team.

 

How long will it take?

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If your Crisis Support award is made before 1pm, it will normally be made on the same day.

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If your application is successful after 1pm, your award may be made the next day.

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We deal with applications in the order we receive them. Please apply as early as you can.

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We will try to speak to you as soon as possible. You may have to wait if we are dealing with other applications.

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Community Care Support

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Who can get Community Care support?

 

You may be able to get Community Care Support if you need help to: 

• move back into the community after a stay in supported or temporary accommodation;

• move out of inappropriate accommodation;

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

• prevent a serious deterioration of health within your home

 

You, or your partner who lives with you, must either: 

• have health issues which you are receiving treatment or support for;

• live with a dependent child or be pregnant; or 

• have another support need which you are being supported with.

 

We will look at your household finances.  You will not normally qualify if you have enough income or savings to buy the items you need. 

 

You must be allowed to receive public funds.

 

What support can I get?

 

If you qualify, we may be able to help you with:​

• beds 

• bedding

• second-hand furniture (chairs, sofas, dining tables and wardrobes)

• white goods

• pans, utensils, crockery and cutlery

• storage and/or removal costs

 

We will also talk to you about other services that may be able to help.

With your permission, we can put you in touch with other services.

 

How do I apply?

 

A Community Care Support application must be made by an organisation who is working with you.  This could be, for example, a housing officer, support worker or social worker.  

 

If you are not working with anyone please contact the team on:

01325 734990 or 

communitysupport@citizensadvicedrc.org.uk 

 

We are open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm, excluding bank holidays

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Approved partners – can make an online application via the Hoams portal. 

 

External organisations who do not have access to Hoams can obtain an application form by emailing the team at  communitysupport@citizensadvicedrc.org.uk

 

Please contact the team on the above phone number or email if you have any issues making or progressing the application.

 

What information will I need to provide?

 

We will need confirmation of:

• Income and expenses for all household members, such as Universal Credit payment statement, benefit award letters, wage slips recent bank, building society or credit union statement;

• Financial situation for all household members, such as recent bank, building society or credit union statements showing the balances in all the accounts your household has;

• Your new tenancy if you are starting a new tenancy please provide your new tenancy agreement and inventory.

• Health issues, such as a patient summary or recent letters explaining health issues and treatment

 

How long will it take?

 

​Community Care Support awards will be made within 10 working days.  This period begins to run from when we receive all the information requested to support your application.

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Can I get cash payments from the Community Support Scheme?

 

We will not give you cash or pay money into your bank account.

If you are awarded support, we will arrange the items or help you need.

 

What other forms of support are there?

 

​If you have a social landlord they may offer furnished tenancy packages to tenants.  Please speak to your landlord to find out more about this.  Where available, households will be expected to use these forms of support rather than the Community Support Scheme.

 

Budgeting support and alternative grants 

 

Applicants who are not eligible under the Community Support Scheme can be referred to an adviser who can support them by:

• Checking they are receiving all the benefits, discounts and exemptions they are entitled to;

• Exploring any alternative suitable grants; and 

• Providing tailored budgeting advice.

 

Can I get support with food?

 

You can find food bank information and ways to access low cost food across Darlington on our food bank page.

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Out of hours emergency support

​The following emergency support is available out of office hours:

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• 700 Club - provides housing related support and signposting.  
  01325 366397 
  Roadway House, Beaumont Street West, Darlington, DL1 5SX 

 

• Darlington Borough Council - out of hours homelessness support
  01642 524552

 

What items can the the Community Support Scheme not support you with:

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• non-essential electrical goods such as television or radio

• carpets and flooring

• school uniforms

• interview clothing

• veterinarian fees

• paying off debts

• expenses for your car, van or motorbike

• regular housing or accommodation rent or arrears payments

• rent in advance payments

• funeral costs

• water charges

• maternity expenses

• cost of domestic assistance and respite care

• any medical service including medication

• holiday, telephone or court fees

• addiction purposes, including alcohol and cigarettes

 

Can I appeal?

 

​Yes, if you disagree with our decision you can appeal.

 

You must appeal within one calendar month of the decision.

 

You can appeal:

• in writing

• by email

• by speaking to us

 

You can make an appeal yourself. Someone else can appeal for you if they are your appointee, carer or advocate. Another person can also appeal for you if you give them permission.

 

A different member of staff will review your appeal. We will tell you the result by phone and confirm it in writing.

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