New fund set up to help South Tyneside families affected by flooding, domestic abuse and coronavirus pandemic

Town hall chiefs have set up a new fund to help families affected by domestic abuse, flooding and the coronavirus pandemic.
The pandemic has only added to the hardships facing some families in South Tyneside.The pandemic has only added to the hardships facing some families in South Tyneside.
The pandemic has only added to the hardships facing some families in South Tyneside.

Up to £300,000 a year is expected to be available for those who need to call on the newly created Financial Support Scheme, which brings separate funds under one roof.

And it could also be more generous than existing provision, which bosses say will take into account issues with the benefits system.

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“Moving forward, it is proposed to combine [the Local Welfare Provision Scheme and the Hardship Fund] into a single financial support scheme,” said Joanne Bell, cabinet member for Resources and Innovation.

“The new scheme would widen eligibility for financial support and provide more flexibility in its delivery.

“The new scheme will seek to wrap around existing help for those facing chronic hardship and be financially sustainable beyond the period of the pandemic.”

Cllr Bell was speaking at a meeting of the council’s ruling cabinet, its ninth since the outbreak started to be held by videolink and broadcast via YouTube.

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The session was the first outing for a revamped cabinet team appointed by new council leader Tracey Dixon, who has stepped into the breach following the resignation of previous boss Iain Malcolm.

Cllr Bell was appointed to the top team to replace Cllr Ed Malcolm, who previously held the job, before being shuffled out of the post last week (Wednesday, November 25).

The council’s existing Hardship Fund was set up in March and has since helped about 2,000 vulnerable households left struggling to pay utility bills or buy food due to the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the same time, the local authority has also been running a Local Welfare Provision Scheme (LWPS) since 2013, which helps families recover from domestic violence, burglary, flooding and other issues.

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The new Financial Support Scheme will have £300,000 a year to support anyone in the borough who can show they are suffering financial hardship ‘regardless of whether it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic’.

It will also allow up to four applications every year, double the two allowed under the current LWPS.

A further £100,000 will be available for a ‘social navigation service’ to help families access other services and organisations outside the council.

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