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The Hartlepool Borough Council processes applications for the local welfare scheme. The programme, known as LWS, can provide assistance for a number of needs that residents may have. Whether it is household goods from the furniture solutions project or loans for paying other expenses, welfare may be able to help some families on a low income.

There are two main components. One is Non-Crisis support. The main reason for this is to help keep people living in the greater Hartlepool community. LWS also has the In-Crisis Support scheme, and this is for an emergency situation and offers more immediate financial aid. There may be funds for people impacted by exceptional financial hardship or some other form of disaster, such as a fire.

Non-Crisis Support requires an application to be completed with the Hartlepool Council. After an assessment has been done on the person seeking help, the council may assist the resident so they can continue to live in their home, or relocate to the borough.

This aid will only be for people that are currently applying to, or receiving a qualifying benefit which includes Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support, or the Pension Guaranteed Credit. So individuals should only apply for non-crisis support if they fall into that category.

Local welfare support may provide the applicant with furniture for their new or existing home. There may be beds, white goods, and appliances for the home. One main programme is the Furniture Solutions project, which is provided from the non-crisis scheme. Other support from LWS will assist with travel to the new home or a re-connection fee for their electricity. The goods are for the poor and vulnerable in the community, and free emergency furniture will also save the family money on their bills.

The government will provide the furniture or support to the applicant, but money will need to be repaid to them. Other goods from the Hartlepool council may be cookers, crockery, beds, microwave, floor covering, cutlery or more. So this project is in effect a loan to the resident, as it needs to be repaid. However the interest rate will be very low.

Emergency, or In-Crisis Support, is for families threatened with a health crisis or major safety issue. Or, at the discretion of the council, they can also provide financial aid to people under exceptional pressure. Qualifying events may be help with fire, floor, or job redundancy. In-crisis support is only for Hartlepool families on a low income with no other resources available to them.

When applying for this form of aid, an assessment will be done by the Hartlepool Council. They will review the applicant’s income and savings. Also, the individual will need to prove that they have no other resources available to them and that welfare is the only option for them.

The awards from LWS welfare can be used to cover a number of needs. The council can help people with pre paid vouchers for utility bills, gas/electricity key cards, food, clothing, and more. Other financial assistance for certain bills can be provided too at the discretion of the authorities, however it is limited. They are under no legal obligation to provide financial support to anyone in the district.

Another aim is to provide the family the advice they need to gain stability. Or they will signpost the Hartlepool resident to other authorities or grant based programmes. This is a key function of LWS welfare scheme in the area, as there are many ways for the vulnerable to get assistance when they are facing an emergency. As one example, grants can help with basic needs or as a form of financial support for certain bills.

To apply for welfare, people need to call the main council office during regular business hours. The phone number to the customer support team is 01429 523621.