What is Housing Related Support?
Housing Related Support, formerly known as Supporting People,
exists to help vulnerable people to live independently in their own
homes. It is funded by the government, administered by
Northumberland County Council and often provided by social,
voluntary or private organisations.
What can Housing Related Support do for me?
Housing Related Support can help you to maintain your tenancy by
helping you:
- to manage your money and bills
- with personal safety and security in and around your home
- to complete forms and read letters
- to contact other professionals or agencies
- to deal with neighbour disputes
- to move to more independent housing
Who can receive it?
- People who have mental health problems
- People with a learning disability
- People with a physical or sensory disability
- Homeless people or those at risk of homelessness
- Young people leaving care or who may be at risk
- People who have been in prison or who are at risk of
offending
- Women fleeing domestic violence
- Refugees
- People with drug or alcohol problems
- People with HIV or Aids
- Travellers or Gypsies
- Teenage parents
Will I qualify for help?
Whether you qualify for help depends on your financial
circumstances and how much you pay for your services.
People receiving short term services (2 years or less) are not
charged and support costs are paid for by Northumberland County
Council.
If you are receiving long term services (over 2 years) there may
be a charge. However, if you are receiving housing benefit your
support charges will be paid in full. The payment does not go to
you but is paid directly to the organisation providing your
support.
Anyone who has slightly too much income to qualify for housing
benefit may still qualify for some help depending on their
financial circumstances.
How do I apply for help?
The organisation that provides your support should give you the
subsidy application form below to apply for help. If you think you
may have difficulty in paying the charges, you can also use the
form to request financial assessment to confirm whether you are
eligible for any financial support. Both you and your support
provider should complete and sign the form.
If you circumstances have changed since you first received any
support, you need to inform the organisation providing your support
that will complete a change of circumstances form.
What will happen after I apply?
A Financial Assessment and Benefits Officer will check whether
your financial circumstances are already known to Social services,
e.g. because you are getting home care services and if not, will
contact you to arrange a visit and ask some detailed questions
about your finances to work out whether you will qualify for
help.
Any charges will be due from the date your support agreement
commenced. Any help you get with your charges because of
eligibility for Income Support or Pension Credit will be backdated
to the start (Monday) of the week of the award of this qualifying
benefit.
Further Information and how to Contact Us
For further information you need to be put in touch with the
service provider (a referral) by one of the statutory organisations
such as health and social care services, probation or housing
authority. In some cases you can approach a provider yourself (self
referral).
If you would like more information about anything you have read
on this page please contact:
Marshall Sisterson
Operational Manager
Adult Services and Housing,
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF
Telephone: 01670 622437
Email address:Marshall.Sisterson@northumberland.gov.uk
Adult Social Care
Telephone: 01670 536 400
Email address: socialcare@northumbria-nhs.uk
Useful Links
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