Derbyshire County Council We’re using almost a quarter of a million pounds to help local residents who have to self-isolate because of COVID-19.
The funding will be given to Citizens Advice across Derbyshire to provide extra help, advice and information to those struggling financially during the pandemic, including helping people who have to self-isolate to claim the government’s £500 COVID support fund if they’re eligible.
Agreeing to the extra £223,358 of funding at a health and communities cabinet member meeting, cabinet member for health and communities, Councillor Carol Hart, said the funding would help the county’s most vulnerable residents.
“The financial impact of the pandemic in relation to employment and reduced income security will continue to affect Derbyshire residents, especially as furlough and self-employed income schemes come to an end.
“As the county continues to respond to the pandemic, people will still be asked to self-isolate if they test positive for COVID-19 or have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive.
“By creating additional ‘surge capacity’ in Citizens Advice, we’ll be able to support local people to get through these difficult times by helping them access the right financial support and help, including the government’s self-isolation fund and other benefits.”
Recent research shows that one in 5 people would struggle to self-isolate, in part due to financial pressures.
Derbyshire Citizens Advice say that securing additional capacity for 12 months would allow them to offer dedicated over-the-phone advice to anyone who is currently suffering financial difficulties or may be at risk of financial problems while they self-isolate.
The extra money, from the government’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund, will fund the equivalent of 7.4 full-time members of staff across the county who will be able to provide quality advice quickly over the phone, especially when people are at risk of crisis, such as needing to self-isolate give ongoing and detailed follow-up support to those with multiple issues who are particularly vulnerable to situations such as self-isolation
deliver prompt money advice to help people experiencing chronic financial challenges arising through COVID-related change of circumstances.
Councillor Hart said:
“By providing practical financial advice and specialist support regarding employment rights and benefit entitlements, we can help reduce the impact of COVID-19.
“Self-isolating is a vital part of preventing the spread of coronavirus and the more we can do to support local people when they have to self-isolate, the quicker we will be able to return to a more normal way of life.”
Research by Citizens Advice shows their support is effective in improving wellbeing. In Derbyshire, return on investment suggests that for every £1 invested in advice linked to health, there are average returns of £12 in financial gains and £8 in debts managed.
