Service Description: The Social Fund provided by the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) is to be abolished from 31 March 2013 bringing an end to support for discretionary elements such as Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans for general living expenses. As part of the abolition process DWP will be transferring funding to local authorities to use as they see fit to meet local needs, delivered through a Local Assistance Scheme, from 1 April 2013. The Local Assistance Scheme (LAS) pilot is seeking to deliver an appropriate and responsive program of support and assistance to Island residents who are in genuine hardship (which can not be met through other means), so that they are able to access support that they need, financial or otherwise, quickly and effectively from April 2013.
Answer: It is proposed to create a pilot scheme from 1 April 2013 for one year. The views provided during the consultation will assist the council in developing the pilot scheme criteria. The pilot scheme will be agreed by Councillors who are members of the Cabinet.