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