Issue - meetings

1.      A Local Assistance Scheme be established using the full allocation of funds from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in order to deliver local assistance payments across Surrey.

2.      The proposed delivery model to manage the Local Assistance Scheme be approved as set out in the report submitted.

Reason for decision

To ensure that the Council is able to continue providing vital support for some people with the highest needs in Surrey. In 2011/12, 7,340 awards for emergency cash and essential items were made to Surrey residents via the Crisis loan for living expenses and Community Care Grant elements of the Social Fund. The new scheme will deliver support through a more local and holistic approach which will seek to signpost applicants to more sustainable support wherever possible.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by Adult Social Care Select Committee]

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) had allocated a total sum of £2,316,356 to Surrey County Council (SCC) over the period 2012/13 – 2014/15 through a discretionary grant to establish a Local Assistance Scheme in Surrey. The Local Assistance Scheme would replace two elements of the Social Fund (which is currently administered by the DWP), Crisis loans for living expenses and Community Care Grants that will be abolished from April 2013.

Adult Social Care officers have been working with colleagues and partners to develop a scheme to deliver these discretionary payments. As a result of the likely impact of welfare reform that will take place over the coming years, the full DWP allocation is required in order to meet existing and projected demand.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health commended the proposal to the Cabinet as a means to helping those in real distress. Successful applicants would be able to access furniture and white goods or a payment card. The Cabinet was advised of the work which was being done to recycle items at low cost for those in need and noted the importance of publicising the scheme.

It was RESOLVED that:

1.      A Local Assistance Scheme be established using the full allocation of funds from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in order to deliver local assistance payments across Surrey.

2.      The proposed delivery model to manage the Local Assistance Scheme be approved as set out in the report submitted.

Reason for decision

To ensure that the Council is able to continue providing vital support for some people with the highest needs in Surrey. In 2011/12, 7,340 awards for emergency cash and essential items were made to Surrey residents via the Crisis loan for living expenses and Community Care Grant elements of the Social Fund. The new scheme will deliver support through a more local and holistic approach which will seek to signpost applicants to more sustainable support wherever possible.