Back on Track Policy

2019 – 2020

‘Stockton Welfare Support Team helps people of the borough

to maximise their income and assists those in crisis, with the

aim of reducing poverty and protecting the vulnerable.’

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Contents

No. Title Page Number

1.0 Introduction Pg 2

1.1 Eligibility Pg 2

1.2 Available Support Pg 3

2.0 Crisis Support Pg 4

2.1 Qualifying Conditions Pg 4

2.2 Award value and duration Pg 5

3.0 Settlement Support Pg 5

3.1 Qualifying conditions Pg 5

3.2 Award values Pg 6

4.0 Application Process Pg 7

5.0 Assessment Process Pg 7

6.0 Evidence requirements Pg 8

7.0 Decision making and reviews Pg 9

7.1 Notification of decisions Pg 9

7.2 Decision reviews Pg 9

8.0 Exclusions Pg 9

9.0 Monitoring arrangements Pg 10

10.0 Publicity Pg 11

11.0 Fraud Pg 11

12.0 Policy review Pg 11

Evidence Requirement Guide Pg 12

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1.

Introduction

Stockton Borough Council ( SBC ) operates a Back on Track scheme which provides a safety net to SBC residents in the case of emergency and aims to:

safeguard people in their own homes

support vulnerable people in the local community

alleviate poverty

encourage financial inclusion and financial resilience

support families in need The scheme operates at the Councils discretion and there is no statutory right to support. The scheme is currently administered by SBC Welfare Support Team . The three key features of the scheme are:

to provide crisis support for costs for energy supplies to residents in an emergency

to provide settlement support to vulnerable residents who require help to establish/maintain a home independently in the community or remove barriers to starting work

to signpost and/or refer applicants to other support and welfare services which are available when people are in financial need. This may include, but is not limited to food bank organisations, CAB, Tees Credit Union (not for profit community bank) and the Department of Work & Pensions DWP.

1.1 Eligibility

To be eligible for the scheme applicants must be:

aged 16 years or over

a resident of SBC or be moving into SBC as part of a planned resettlement programme and

have no other form of immediate financial assistance e.g. family, friends, employer, own resources or other available funding streams.

NB. To receive support applicants must also meet the qualifying conditions for the individual form of support they are applying for. These criteria are set out in 2.1 and 3.1.

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1.2

Available Support

There are two forms of support provided by the Back on Track Scheme:

Crisis Support aims to prevent an immediate deterioration to the wellbeing of the applicant or their partner/dependent by providing short-term access to energy supplies, essential food, toiletries, clothing/footwear and baby consumables which can be provided to cover the period until their next payment of benefit or payment of wages.

Settlement Support aims to help applicants remain in the community or move back into the community after a period in supported or unsettled accommodation,

and will be in the form of: Crisis Support

Assistance with:

energy costs, generally via a pay point voucher

essential food and toiletries, generally via a referral to a food bank

essential clothing/footwear, generally via a referral to the appropriate agency

essential baby consumables

Signposting to appropriate support and welfare services, community organisations and the DWP which are available when people are in financial need.

Settlement Support

Beds

Bedding

Chairs/Sofas

Tables

Wardrobes

White goods

Pans, crockery and cutlery

Floor coverings

Curtains

Storage or removal costs

Removal of barriers to starting work

Rent in Advance will be to referred to our Homelessness and Housing Solutions Team for consideration

Removal of barriers to starting work Generally recycled furniture and white goods will be provided.

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Floor coverings and curtains will only be provided where there is a proven medical need or a risk to the health and safety of the applicant and/or their household. Floor coverings will be provided for essential rooms only. This list is not exhaustive.

Support will be given via vouchers and/or access to items and products and will not usually include:

Cash payments

Payments into individual’s bank accounts 2.0 Crisis Support

Crisis Support aims to prevent an immediate deterioration to the wellbeing of the

applicant or their partner/dependent. There will be two stages to the assessment of a Crisis Support application:

an assessment of need - to establish if the applicant meets one of the qualifying conditions set out in 2.1 below

a financial assessment - to establish if the applicant has immediate access to any other form of financial assistance

2.1 Qualifying Conditions

Applicants must have:

An immediate need for assistance with essential daily living expenses that has arisen following an exceptional event or unforeseen circumstances and as a direct result of the inability to afford the services, the wellbeing of the applicant or their partner/dependent will immediately deteriorate. Also, the applicant or their partner must meet at least one of the following:

They have a serious physical health problem for which they are receiving treatment, or there is a severe risk to their health and safety.

They have a dependent child who normally lives with them and that child’s health and safety would be at immediate risk.

They are at risk of homelessness.

They have a substance or alcohol misuse problem, which they are receiving treatment or support for.

They are on probation or receiving support relating to their offending history.

They are affected by, or at risk of domestic abuse, hate crime, honour based violence or forced marriage.

They have a learning disability.

They have a physical or sensory impairment.

They have a mental health problem, which they are receiving treatment or support for.

They are pregnant.

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They require support with costs to ease exceptional circumstances for the applicant and their family.

2.2

Crisis Support award values and duration

The value and duration of the award will be at the discretion of the Council, in relation to the needs being presented and the financial situation of the applicant. In most cases support provided to cover needs will usually last no longer than the period until their next payment of benefit or wages. Applicants can receive a maximum of two awards in any one financial year, with the exception of awards which are made where a purse/wallet has been lost or stolen. In such cases only one award will be made in any one financial year. Applicants will not usually be able to receive support with a value exceeding £100 in any financial year. Applicants making repeated claims for crisis awards will continue to be referred or signposted to relevant advice services. Should the applicant refuse to engage after a referral to a partner agency then future applications may not be considered.

3.0 Settlement Support Settlement Support aims to help applicants remain in the community or move back into

the community after a period in supported or unsettled accommodation and assist the most vulnerable. There will be two stages to the assessment of a Settlement Support application:

An assessment of need - to establish if the applicant meets one of the qualifying conditions set out in 3.1 below.

A financial assessment - to establish if the applicant has any excess income or capital including a DWP budgeting loan that could be used to meet some or all of the required support.

3.1 Qualifying conditions

Applicants must meet all of the following qualifying conditions:

3.11 The applicant or their partner is entitled to one of the following:

Income Support

Job seekers Allowance

Employment Support Allowance

Pension Credit

Universal Credit and working less than 16 hours per week

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Or, they are leaving accommodation in which they receive significant and substantial care and supervision and expect to be discharged within 6 weeks and receive one of the benefits above.

3.1.2 The applicant or their partner requires support for one of the following:

support to move back into the community after a stay in supported or temporary accommodation or following an unsettled way of life i.e. hostel or sleeping on the streets (but only where they will be setting up home in the community as part of a planned resettlement programme).

support to move out of inappropriate accommodation.

support to stay in the home and prevent a move into residential care or hospital.

support to prevent a serious deterioration of health within the home.

support with costs to ease exceptional pressures for the applicant and their family e.g. a breakdown of relationships within the family (including domestic violence, honour based violence or forced marriage).

3.1.3 The applicant or their partner who lives with them must meet one of the following:

They have a serious physical health problem for which they are receiving

treatment or there is a severe risk to their health and safety.

They have a dependent child who normally lives with them and that child’s health and safety would be at immediate risk.

They are at risk of homelessness.

They have a substance or alcohol misuse problem, which they are receiving treatment or support for.

They are on probation or receiving support relating to their offending history.

They are affected by, or at risk of domestic abuse, hate crime, honour based violence or forced marriage.

They have a learning disability.

They have a physical or sensory impairment.

They have a mental health problem, which they are receiving treatment or support for.

They are pregnant.

They require support with costs to ease exceptional circumstances for the applicant and their family.

3.2 Settlement Support award values

The value of the Settlement Support award will not usually exceed £500 in a financial year and be appropriate to the needs being presented and the financial situation of the applicant. In exceptional circumstances the maximum award value may be raised in order to ensure a household has access to essential household items which meet the needs being presented at the time of application. The Council will undertake a full income and expenditure calculation of the applicant and their household to determine if they have any excess income/capital that could be used to meet all or part of the cost of the support.

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4.0 Application process

4.1 Applications can be made online via https://www.stockton.gov.uk/environment-and-

housing/back-on-track-scheme/ or if you need assistance telephone 01642 524700 Support/assistance with an online application can be provided by visiting one of the following customer services centres:

SBC Central Library and Customer Services Centre Church Road Stockton

SBC Thornaby Library and Customer Service Centre Wrightson House Pavillion Shopping Centre Thornaby

SBC Billingham Library and Customer Service Centre Town Centre Billingham Out of hours – advice and Information is available at:

http://stocktoninformationdirectory.org/kb5/stockton/directory/home.page or from the Emergency Duty Team on 0870 240 299

Applications can be considered from:

the applicants appointee,

the applicants carer,

the applicants advocate,

a third party agency acting on behalf of the applicant, or

a referral from a specialist provider/trusted partner. Confirmation will be accepted verbally that the third party agency is acting on behalf of, and with the consent of the applicant.

5.0 Assessment Process 5.1 The Council will decide if the qualifying conditions for an award have been met. 5.2 The Council will require evidence of the qualifying conditions by either:

confirmation by telephone with a specialist provider/trusted partner, or

other evidence provided by the applicant, their appointee, their carer, their advocate or referring agency, based on the individual circumstances of each case.

5.3 Where the applicant has health, support or care needs which are not currently being

met or have not been assessed by a specialist provider (for example by a GP, support or

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care agency), the applicant will be signposted to the relevant specialist provider to assess their needs.

5.4 The Council will also make a financial assessment which will involve an assessment of

the income and expenditure of the applicant to establish if they have any excess income or capital including a DWP budgeting loan that could be used to meet some or all of the required support.

5.5 The Council will process the application and inform the applicant of the outcome of

their application. 5.6 The Council will also refer the applicant or signpost to an advice agency if, for example

it appears that the applicant may qualify for additional welfare benefits or Tax Credits or other support. Should the applicant refuse to engage after a referral to a partner agency then future applications may not be considered.

5.7 For Crisis Support, the Council will contact the applicant within 24 hours to discuss the

application. On receipt of all requested information and evidence, the applicant will be notified of the decision and their award distributed (if applicable) within 24 hours.

5.8 For Settlement Support, the Council will contact the applicant within 3 working days to

discuss the application. On receipt of all requested information and evidence, the applicant will be notified of the decision within 5 working days. If successful, awards will be provided in line with the applicant’s needs but usually not within 48 hours of the award decision.

6.0 Evidence required as part of the application process

The Council may request any information or evidence it reasonably requires in support

of an application for an award. 6.1 For Crisis Support and for Settlement Support the information and evidence to be

provided will be identified during the assessment. Evidence will need to be provided before an award is given to the applicant and home visits may be made to verify information.

6.2 For Settlement Support if evidence is not provided the Council will contact the applicant

or the specialist provider, requesting the information and evidence required as at 5.8. Applicants or specialist providers will be expected to provide the requested information and evidence within 3 working days (or contact the Council within 3 working days if more time is required). If evidence is not forthcoming then the application will be declined.

6.3

The Council reserves the right to verify any information or evidence provided by the applicant, as required. Any such request will be essential to the decision making process and will only be used in connection with Back on Track.

6.4 Examples of evidence that may be required are set out on page 13

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7.0

Decision making and reviews

7.1 Notification of decisions Once a decision on the application has been made the applicant (and specialist

provider, if relevant) will be notified of the outcome in writing. In addition, Crisis and Settlement Support decisions may also be notified verbally over the telephone, or via text if the applicant agrees. The notification letter will include the following:

where Back on Track Support is awarded, the item(s) to be provided and the period of the award (if relevant)

where the Back on Track Support awarded does not provide all support requested, the reasons for this decision

where Back on Track Support is not awarded, the reasons for this decision,

the applicant’s review rights

information on who to contact if they need further information or advice

the duty to notify the Council of any changes in their circumstances, which may affect their award.

7.2 Decision Reviews for Crisis Support and Settlement Support

Back on Track assistance is not subject to any statutory appeals mechanism. Any

request for a review will be subject to the following:

An applicant who disagrees with the decision on their Back on Track application may dispute the decision and request a review. The request for a review can be made by the applicant, their appointee, their carer, their advocate or a third party, with the applicant’s consent where appropriate.

Disputes will be considered where they are received by the Welfare Support Team in writing, verbally or by e-mail, within one calendar month of the written decision being issued to the applicant.

Disputes will be considered by the Review Officer not involved in the original decision and the outcome will be confirmed in writing either by e-mail or letter

8.0

Exclusions Support will not be awarded for the following items or services:

educational or training related expenses e.g. uniform, equipment, travelling expenses.

expenses or costs in connection with court (legal) proceedings such as legal fees, court fees, fines, costs, damages, subsistence or travelling expenses

removal or storage charges if the applicant is being re-housed following a compulsory purchase order, closing order, a compulsory exchange of tenancies,

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or under a housing authority’s statutory duty to the homeless Assistance may be available through Housing and Homelessness Solutions.

rent arrears and mortgage costs including interest payments

Council Tax or Council Tax arrears

domestic assistance and respite care

a medical, surgical, optical, aural or dental item or service

mobility needs

a television or a radio, or a licence, aerial or rental charges for a television or a radio

purchase, installation, rental and call charges for a telephone

garaging, parking, purchase, and running costs of any motor vehicle

debts to Government departments or Local Authorities

The following people cannot be supported by the Back on Track Support Fund:

People who normally reside outside of Stockton-On-Tees Borough, unless the need is for a person who is in the process of moving into Stockton Borough.

Care home residents and hospital in-patients, unless the need is for a person who will be discharged as part of a resettlement plan.

Persons who are members of and fully maintained by a religious order.

People in full-time education unless they are entitled to:

Income Support

Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance

Income related Employment and Support Allowance

Pension Credit

Universal Credit and working less than 16 hours per week

prisoners who are in prison or released on temporary licence

a person who is, or would be, treated as a person from abroad for the purpose of Income Support, income based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income related Employment and Support Allowance and Pension Credit, and has no entitlement to those benefits, including:

foreign nationals with limited immigration status,

foreign nationals with no recourse to public funds

non-economically active European Union individuals

United Kingdom nationals who are not habitually resident in the United Kingdom

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9.0 Monitoring arrangements and managing the Back on Track scheme

The Council will undertake regular monitoring of the Back on Track scheme to ensure funds are available throughout the financial year and that decisions are being made fairly and consistently.

The Council will monitor the number and type of referrals made to other support and

welfare services. 10.0 Publicity

The Council will publicise the Back on Track scheme as appropriate and will work with

all interested parties to achieve this. The Council will:

ensure the scheme is publicised on the Council website and that all information is accurate and up to date

work with partners to raise awareness of the scheme the qualifying criteria which need to be met to receive support and how applications can be made.

work with partners to encourage take up of the scheme

ensure training is provided for front-line staff to ensure their knowledge of the scheme is both relevant and up to date.

11.0 Fraud

SBC is committed to the prevention and detection of fraud.

Where false statements or false evidence is used to obtain financial awards from the Back on Track scheme an offence may have been committed.

Where fraud is suspected the matter will be investigated appropriately and this may

lead to criminal proceedings being instigated. SBC has a duty to protect public funds and may use information given to prevent and

detect fraud and may give some information to other organisations where the law allows.

12.0 Policy review

This policy will be reviewed at regular intervals by appropriate Council officers. This will

take into account any views of applicants, Council Members, specialist providers, other referral agencies and other voluntary sector organisations with an interest in the scheme.

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SUPPORTING INFORMATION EXAMPLES

PROOF OF ADDRESS PROFF OF IDENTINTY PROOF OF NEED ( LETTER OR DOCUMENT )

QUALIFYING BENEFITS

Council Tax Bill Birth Certificate Fire Brigade Employment & Support Allowance

Health/Social Care Correspondence

Decree Absolute GP Income Support

HMRC/LA/JCP+ Correspondence Driving Licence Health/Social Care Correspondence ( including support workers )

Job Seekers Allowance

Landlord Letter Health/Social Care Correspondence ( including support workers )

Insurance Company Pension Credit

Mortgage Agreement Home Office Documents/Correspondence

Landlord Universal Credit ( Working Less than 16 hours per week )

MP HMRC/LA/JCP + Correspondence Police Employment & Support Allowance

Other LA Marriage Document Prescription Income Support

Probation Service MP Correspondence Probation Service Job Seekers Allowance

SBC Passport Stockton Borough Council Services

Pension Credit

Solicitor Proof Of Identity Utility Company Universal Credit ( Working Less than 16 hours per week )

Tenancy Agreement Qualifying Benefits

Utility Bill Birth Certificate