Financial Assessments
A guide for service users in the Peterborough Area
What is housing related support?
Housing related support is a range of services to help you to remain independent in your home.
Examples of support are:
- Help to arrange for professionals to visit for example, social workers, doctors
- Help to arrange for maintenance to be carried out to your property
- Help to arrange for adaptations to be made to your property
- Help to make sure that your home is safe and secure
- Checking that you are well
- Providing you with day to day support to deal with problems
Who can get help with paying for housing support?
You can get help if:You moved in after 1, April 2003 or started to receive your service after 1, April 2003, you are receiving Housing Benefit, Income Support and/or pension credit or have less than £20,500 in capital and have a low income.
What will you consider when deciding about my application for help?
When deciding whether you are entitled to any help, the Council will look at how much money you have coming in (from benefits, pensions or other money) and how much money you have in savings (we won't count any money that you earn from your employment, or any disability related benefits), what your essential outgoings are, and calculate your entitlement from this information.
Every application is looked at individually, and assistance can be for the full cost, or part of that cost, so it is important that you apply, whatever your financial circumstances.
How is housing support provided?
Housing Support can be provided by:
- A warden (often in sheltered or "group" schemes)
- A housing support worker, or "link" worker (for example, in supported housing for single people, shared housing for people with mental health problems, or supported housing for ex-offenders)
- A "Lifeline" or other personal alarm system for you to call for help (including a warden call system)
- Specialist advice
- Refuge from domestic violence
These services could be provided by your landlord or by other organisations.
How much do these services cost and how are they paid for?
The cost of the service varies depending on the kind of support that you get.
Some services are paid for directly by the Council using funding from Central Government (Supporting People Grant).
If you are in supported temporary accommodation you will not have to pay for your support, as this is funded directly by the Supporting People Grant.
If you live in long-term accommodation, you may need to contribute to the cost of your support.
How do I apply to get help with paying for housing support?
By completing a Finance Assessment Form. You can obtain a form by:
- downloading the relevant Finance Assessment Form
- Asking your landlord or your support worker
- contacting the Supporting People Team and requesting a Finance Assessment Form
How do I get more advice?
Contact:
- Your housing support worker
- Your warden
- Age Concern
- Peterborough Direct
- Citizens Advice Bureau
- Your Social Worker
- Your Probation Officer