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How can I get help during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic?

This page features information about employability and financial support during the Coronavirus pandemic. There is also information about Northumberland Communities Together, and how they can help you by delivering your food and medicine.

How can I get help?

If you're having a difficult time or struggling at the moment please get in touch, we'll find you support and connect you with people in your area.

Please contact the Northumberland Communities Together Response Hub.
 
Phone: 01670 620015 between 9am to 6pm, seven days a week. 

If you have speech or hearing difficulties you can use Relay UK to contact us by dialing 018001 01670 620015 you can find more information about Relay UK here
 

Recovering from COVID-19

Your COVID Recovery will help you to come to terms with how your body and mind may have suffered because of this virus. It provides help and information for those recovering, as well as advice for your family and friends.

Please click here to find out more about Your COVID Recovery.

 

SignVideo

British Sign Language users can now contact the Northumberland Communities Together Response Hub using SignVideo Web Access, an online sign language interpreting service. 

To contact us using this service click this link: northumberlandcc-covid.signvideo.net

If you like to learn more about this service click here
 

Onecall

If you are worried about the immediate welfare (health or well-being) of a child or adult contact Onecall - 01670 536400 - 24 hour service, 365 days a year.
 

 

Shielding 

If you have a medical condition which makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19), you may be eligible for shielding support. Shielding is a measure to protect people who are clinically extremely vulnerable by reducing interaction with others.
 



Safe Families Information

Safe Families are offering remote support for all Northumberland families with children  who may be struggling for a variety of reasons during the Coronavirus pandemic. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, or carer for children, many issues have come up in recent times with homeschooling, isolation, and a range of other concerns. 

This  service is open to anyone who may benefit from some outside, remote support to help them, and you can refer yourself at any time via the Safe Families contact form, located here.

Bereavement support - Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The death of a loved one is one of the most difficult moments that any of us have to face. That is why the Government have created a leaflet which will help bereaved families, friends, or next of kin make important decisions.

Please click here to view the Government leaflet. 

 

The National Bereavement Partnership - COVID-19 Hub

This hub was created to provide support to all affected by the COVID-19 pandemic by working closely with the NHS Trusts and other relevant organisations.

Please click here for more information about The National Bereavement Partnership.

You can call their free helpline on 0800 448 0800, open every day from 7am - 10pm.

Employment support - Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Please see below for how to get support if the coronavirus pandemic has affected your work:

Employment and Skills Support


If you are newly unemployed or are concerned about your job, you can get help through a range of Northumberland Council employment and skills programmes, or be referred to other support. One of our Employment Coaches can give you advice and guidance about what is right for you. You can call us on our freephone helpline 0808 196 3936 or email us at employmentandtraining@northumberland.gov.uk.

Please click here for more information on our Employability Support page for advice about our programmes.

 

Redundancy and training support

 

Universal Credit

Mental wellbeing support - Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Please see below for how to receive help and advice if you are having worries about your job security:

Mental Wellbeing support


If you are worried about your job security, going back to work after being furloughed, finding a new job, finances, and that this is affecting your mental wellbeing, freephone helpline on 0808 196 3933 can give you confidential advice and direct you to online self-help or one-to-one counselling.

You can call 0808 196 3933 free between these hours: 
  • Monday 10am-2pm
  • Tuesday 1pm-5pm
  • Wednesday 3pm-7pm
  • Thursday 1pm-4pm
  • Friday 10am-2pm

Financial support for vulnerable residents - Coronavirus (COVID-19)

This section provides information regarding financial support for Northumberland residents during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

 

Assistance for Northumberland Residents

Whilst it is right that the government has taken action to ensure that all those employed receive statutory sick pay and are paid if they need to self-isolate, what action is being taken to protect those with zero-hour contracts and the self-employed?
 
All individuals will be offered the opportunity to be supported to access benefits in line with government guidance.
 
Click here to learn more about claiming benefits during the coronavirus outbreak. This page includes information about statutory sick pay, universal credit, jobcentre appointments, and more.
 

 

Council Tax Support, Housing Benefit, and Universal Credit

Residents can make an application for:
If residents are otherwise experiencing hardship but are not entitled to benefits they may choose to contact the Northumberland Community Bank.
 
Northumberland Emergency Transition Support (NETS) provides crisis support to residents of Northumberland. Details of the support available and the application process can be found here.
 
Residents can also telephone 0345 600 6400 and follow the options for Benefits then NETS team. Lines are open from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4.30pm on Friday.

 

The Hardship Fund

The Government’s Hardship Fund will be used to reduce bills further for those already receiving council tax support, new claimants of council tax support and to establish a hardship fund in the county.
 
PLEASE NOTE: Residents already receiving support through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme don’t need to contact us, as the additional help will be automatically applied to bills in the next few weeks.
 
The Council Tax Hardship Fund will be allocated to qualifying residents. This is an additional £150 of funding for those who already receive support due to their financial situation.
 
The scheme will help towards the cost of Council Tax for people on a low income or those who claim certain benefits including Universal Credit. It means that those who may have lost work or money due to coronavirus, could now benefit from this means of help.
 

 

Mortgage holidays - am I entitled?

The government has announced a 3 month mortgage payment holiday. Residents are advised to contact their mortgage provider.

Citizens Advice during COVID-19

Citizens Advice provides free, confidential and impartial information and advice on a range of issues, including money, benefits, housing, and employment. If your circumstances have changed due to COVID-19, they may be able to help you.

Click here to visit their website, and learn more about Citizens Advice during coronavirus.

Click here to follow Citizens Advice Northumberland Facebook page.

How to contact Citizens Advice Northumberland during the coronavirus outbreak:

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