If you answered yes to one of these questions, and you think you may be eligible for Social Fund assistance, please call 01642 771276.
The Financial Support Team will be able to advise you whether you may be eligible and how to claim.
The Council's Social Fund scheme offers financial assistance to residents who have had a disaster, are in crisis or require financial help to settle into the community if they are vulnerable.
There are two areas of assistance:
Daily Living Assistances
This is for people who are in short-term severe financial crisis and require assistance to be able to meet basic essential needs, such as food, gas/electricity or clothing.
Please note social fund does not cover for Rent and Mortgages, Lost Money or School Uniforms.
How is it paid? – The Council will decide how much assistance to provide. Successful applicants will be given a payment card or voucher which can be used in shops to purchase food/clothing or top-up gas/electricity pre-payment meters.
Resettlement Assistance
This is for vulnerable adults who require assistance to settle into the community or people who have been victim of a disaster, such as fire or major flood or domestic violence, and require assistance to purchase white goods (e.g. fridges and cookers) and/or furniture (e.g. beds and sofas).
The social fund policy is available to download and view below:
The eligibility for assistance will be on the merit of each application received. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council will have sole discretion in deciding Social Fund awards.
I've been advised to claim. How do I do this?
Once you have completed a claim, a decision will be made and you will be contacted to let you know if it has been successful. Please note, you may be required to provide evidence to support your claim.
Claiming Social Fund payments from the Council is an online process. You will need to make your own arrangements to do this.
If you do not have an online facility, you will be able to use a computer with access to the internet (free of charge) at any one of the Council’s libraries.
Alternatively a family member may have internet access. You can also make applications via internet enabled smartphones and tablets.
If you are unable to make an online application and you are a Housing Association tenant you may be able to get help from your landlord.
Help outside of office hours
If you have a crisis or emergency situation involving child protection, child care, mental health and other adult service matters, the Emergency Duty Service will provide a point for advice and where necessary immediate service to individuals and families who are experiencing crisis in their lives.
The Emergency Duty team can be contacted by telephone 01642 524552 or by minicom (01642) 602346 and have trained interpreters if required.