Post on 25-Feb-2016
description
Discretionary Assistance Fund
By Helen RichardsPartnership Manager for Wales
Background From April 2013 elements of the Social Fund are abolished
Community Care Grants Crisis Loans for Living Expenses
Replaced by a local fund devolved to Welsh Government Themes from consultation events in Wales
Partnership delivery model National qualifying criteria Grants not loans Goods and services over cash Independent appeals Links to financial capability
Discretionary Assistance Fund Discretionary Assistance Fund - payments or in kind support for two
purposes.
Enable independent living or continued independent living, preventing the need for institutional care – Individual Assistance Payment (IAP)
Provide assistance in an emergency or when there is an immediate threat to health or wellbeing – Emergency Assistance Payment (EAP)
Payments available to people who do not have alternative means of paying for what they need and do not need to be paid back. One-off needs rather than on-going expenses.
National delivery model
Delivery Team - credentials Northgate has 10,000 staff and 48 major offices
100% of local authorities and police forces in Wales Systems in every NHS hospital as national programmes Half of all fire brigades and ambulance trusts Central Government
Family Fund is the UKs largest grant making charity and for over 40 years Family Fund has administered £33m per annum of grant funds for the four governments
Wrexham County Borough Council is the pilot authority in Wales for Single Fraud Investigation Service and will be keen to ensure equitable use of the fund for all. Wrexham is also one of the Universal Credit Processing sites.
How to access DAF
• Free from landline 0800 859 5924
• Charged at local rate 03301 015 000
• Online & downloadable forms for posting
www.moneymadeclearwales.org
Individual Assistance Payment
1. The Applicant makes an application
2. Application arrives at DAF team in Wrexham
3. Decision is made to Approve or Decline
a. Declined
b. Approved4. Advised of approval for
Goods or Service (e.g. Cooker, Fridge, Bed). Signposted to other
places for help
5. Family Fund advised by
Northgate, then Family Fund advise
the retailer e.g. Argos, Euronics,
Park Retail
6. Payment Card or Authorising Letter sent
to Applicant
4. Advised by phone, email or letter, signposted to other places for help
Emergency Assistance Payment
5. Applicant advised of approval for payment.
Signposted to other places for help
6. Family Fund advised by Northgate, then Family Fund advise Pay Point
8. Applicant goes to Pay Point outlet
(newsagents etc) shows retailer the code and
cash is given
7. Pay Point send barcode or unique
reference number to applicant mobile
1. The Applicant makes an application
2. Application arrives at DAF team in Wrexham
3. Decision is made to Approve or Decline
a. Declined
b. Approved
4. Advised by phone, email or letter, signposted to other places for help
£
For more than 13 years Family Fund has used supplier contracts for grant making programmes In 2011 75% of applicants received their grant in the form of goods and services
spending £25m Example retailers include Park Retail, Euronics, Argos
Suppliers offer choice for beneficiaries along with trusted brand, excellent service and good coverage
FFT provides a rebate into the DAF of 3.5% of the value of goods ordered (excluding cash payments) at the end of each quarter which over a full year could add more than £250,000 to the fund
Opportunity to expand to additional outlets in Wales Cash payments through PayPoint or BACS
Fulfilment Experience
1
The Public Web Site allows members of the public to make applications from the Discretionary Assistance Fund. They can;1. Check for likely Eligibility 2. Make & submit an Application3. Save a partly completed application 4.Return to a partially completed application5. Track the progress of an application
http://www.moneymadeclearwales.org/discretionary-assistance-fund-for-wales
Partners across Wales• Need to ensure the hardest to reach can get support to apply • Domestic abuse, care-leavers, those in crisis, someone
experiencing a tragedy, mentally ill.• Partners can signpost or complete applications with or on behalf
of customers• The partnership forum will be an on-going mechanism for
feedback & involvement• Registration is simple & each organisation
given their own unique organisation number
Performance of Quarter 1 & 2
Total amount awarded Quarter 1 & 2: £2.7million*
*Final official accumulative figure is still be approved.
Quarter 1 Quarter 2
Number of EAP’s awarded
2345 4839
Number of IAP’s awarded
2240 2345
Quarter 1 & 2 continuedQuarter 1 Quarter 2
Emergency Assistance Payments are paid within 24 hours 96% 98%
Individual Assistance Payments are paid within 2 weeks 98% 99%
Contacts to DAF by: Telephone (which is fully bilingual)Online Postal contact
28,759597644
38,4701466704
Total number of awarded applications is 4290 6937
Key Messages Accessible via online, post, telephone in dual language Governance through Executive and Operational Boards Active engagement with partner networks & partnership manager Regular updates and online seminars Ongoing programme with all stakeholders Grant Fund as part of holistic service
Being a partner organisation is a commitment to support the hardest-to-reach & most vulnerable people, to access the DAF either through signposting or support.
We are committed to ensuring everyone who needs to apply to the DAF has the chance to do so.
Thank you
Thank you for the opportunity to come and discuss the discretionary assistance fund with your organisation
Please ask any questions you may have