Emergency loans for needy people scrapped

8:54am Wednesday 13th March 2013 in Local

EMERGENCY loans for people in need in Bolton, and grants for the vulnerable, will be scrapped and replaced with a new scheme offering goods and services instead of cash.

The Government has axed its crisis loans, which provide money for emergencies such as fire and flood damage, loss of money through theft and to buy essential food items.

It has also scrapped Community Care Grants (CCGs), which are available to help homeless people secure new housing, provide a financial boost to people leaving residential care, or to help someone fleeing domestic violence.

A report to Bolton Council said its new scheme — financed by the Government and which will come into effect in April — will make use of food banks and furniture recycling centres rather than providing money, although it said there may be circumstances where “small cash payments” may be required.

The report also said anyone submitting a claim for help would be expected to work with the council’s financial advice services.

Council chiefs approved the creation of two schemes — a Local Emergency Support Award for people who need short-term help and a Local Community Support Award to help people live independently.

Under the first scheme, instead of cash, people could receive nappies, baby milk and food, as well as help with travel costs.

Awards under the second scheme could include beds, heating appliances, fridges, cookers and furniture. The scheme would also see the council underwriting loans from credit unions.

Awards would be means-tested and would take into account personal savings.

Claims will be made over the internet, although anyone without internet access will be given help with an assisted telephone claim, the report said.

The council will be given just over £1 million a year for the next two years — less than the Department for Work and Pensionspends in the borough — with no guarantee of funding after that. The council will create a new team consisting of five staff to administer the schemes. Cllr Nick Peel said: “This is a cut dressed up as localism. One of the very worrying things is the fact this funding isn’t ringfenced.

“That’s terrifying as not all councils are as enlightened as us and some might take this money to keep council tax down.”

Bolton Conservative leader Cllr David Greenhalgh said: “The Government is damned if it does and damned if it doesn’t. This is an example of how localism has given back to the local authority money to use and spend as we want.”

Comments (12)

11:28am Wed 13 Mar 13

magic dragon says...

More ways to bash the vulnerable in our Society. Where will this Government stop? Remember the Nazis. this Government is no different. They have found a way to remove the sick, disabled and vulnerable from our Society. Stop all help and they will eventually die.
More ways to bash the vulnerable in our Society. Where will this Government stop? Remember the Nazis. this Government is no different. They have found a way to remove the sick, disabled and vulnerable from our Society. Stop all help and they will eventually die. magic dragon

1:57pm Wed 13 Mar 13

berushka says...

or maybe they won't have the money to spend on beer and cigarettes but instead will get what they ask for, even if they really wanted the cash. It is about time some people stopped expecting a handout as if they are a special case, and started doing something about it, like working for instance! Half the money spent by the council is wasted on scroungers, loafers, layabouts and labour voters.
or maybe they won't have the money to spend on beer and cigarettes but instead will get what they ask for, even if they really wanted the cash. It is about time some people stopped expecting a handout as if they are a special case, and started doing something about it, like working for instance! Half the money spent by the council is wasted on scroungers, loafers, layabouts and labour voters. berushka

2:22pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Reality50 says...

Worrying stuff and another scheme that hasn't been thought through. Most people on low income are on prepayment gas and electric meters. What happens in case of theft or loss of money in cases like this? You need cash to top them up. There was nothing wrong with the crisis loan system and this is all about saving money. Basically the two things people most need in terms of crisis are food and electric/gas for prepayment meters.These new rules will make things harder for those in desperate need. I notice asylum seeker/immigrant benefits are not affected.
Worrying stuff and another scheme that hasn't been thought through. Most people on low income are on prepayment gas and electric meters. What happens in case of theft or loss of money in cases like this? You need cash to top them up. There was nothing wrong with the crisis loan system and this is all about saving money. Basically the two things people most need in terms of crisis are food and electric/gas for prepayment meters.These new rules will make things harder for those in desperate need. I notice asylum seeker/immigrant benefits are not affected. Reality50

2:29pm Wed 13 Mar 13

cosmicma says...

whats next food vouchers for the unemployed, sick and disabled if you can prove you need to eat ?
whats next food vouchers for the unemployed, sick and disabled if you can prove you need to eat ? cosmicma

2:30pm Wed 13 Mar 13

magic dragon says...

berushka wrote:
or maybe they won't have the money to spend on beer and cigarettes but instead will get what they ask for, even if they really wanted the cash. It is about time some people stopped expecting a handout as if they are a special case, and started doing something about it, like working for instance! Half the money spent by the council is wasted on scroungers, loafers, layabouts and labour voters.
I agree that a very small minority abuse the system, but please tell me how someone who is genuinely sick and/or disabled can get out and work. Most people in genuine need will be hit hard by these new rules. Get off your high horse and smell the genuine poverty and despair in this Town. An no I am not a scrounger, loafer, layabout or labour voter. I am just someone who really cares about what this country has become.
[quote][p][bold]berushka[/bold] wrote: or maybe they won't have the money to spend on beer and cigarettes but instead will get what they ask for, even if they really wanted the cash. It is about time some people stopped expecting a handout as if they are a special case, and started doing something about it, like working for instance! Half the money spent by the council is wasted on scroungers, loafers, layabouts and labour voters.[/p][/quote]I agree that a very small minority abuse the system, but please tell me how someone who is genuinely sick and/or disabled can get out and work. Most people in genuine need will be hit hard by these new rules. Get off your high horse and smell the genuine poverty and despair in this Town. An no I am not a scrounger, loafer, layabout or labour voter. I am just someone who really cares about what this country has become. magic dragon

4:06pm Wed 13 Mar 13

mr.mark.c says...

20+ years ago people got a voucher to spend at a supermarket and they could not buy alcohol or cigarettes and they also did not get any change.
But at the same time they did not have to pay it back, Crisis loans are paid from the social fund and have to be paid back as are budgeting loans, How can giving food and money be a cutback ?
I assume all the asylum seekers will still get everything paid for including there Sky TV.
20+ years ago people got a voucher to spend at a supermarket and they could not buy alcohol or cigarettes and they also did not get any change. But at the same time they did not have to pay it back, Crisis loans are paid from the social fund and have to be paid back as are budgeting loans, How can giving food and money be a cutback ? I assume all the asylum seekers will still get everything paid for including there Sky TV. mr.mark.c

4:20pm Wed 13 Mar 13

boltonnut says...

I agree with you this time berushka.The more that is given the more people will take, this is no incentive for people to get off their backsides and help themselves.
I agree with you this time berushka.The more that is given the more people will take, this is no incentive for people to get off their backsides and help themselves. boltonnut

4:29pm Wed 13 Mar 13

xxenigmaxx says...

By providing the items people need instead of throwing money at them they're making sure that the monies applied for is not wasted on alcohol,drugs and gambling. I say good its about time someone curtailed the money market this government seems to have become over the last 20 odd years.
By providing the items people need instead of throwing money at them they're making sure that the monies applied for is not wasted on alcohol,drugs and gambling. I say good its about time someone curtailed the money market this government seems to have become over the last 20 odd years. xxenigmaxx

5:57pm Wed 13 Mar 13

hoboh2o says...

Simple answer is, send back all non skilled non British passport holding immigrants, fill all the 'low paid jobs' they hold with the unemployed, top up their wages to £350 pw or whatever they are getting in benefits let them pay tax, NI and rent like everyone else.
This would slash the amount of welfare being paid out and make sure no one was getting something for nothing, it would also provide housing spaces.
Simple answer is, send back all non skilled non British passport holding immigrants, fill all the 'low paid jobs' they hold with the unemployed, top up their wages to £350 pw or whatever they are getting in benefits let them pay tax, NI and rent like everyone else. This would slash the amount of welfare being paid out and make sure no one was getting something for nothing, it would also provide housing spaces. hoboh2o

8:57pm Wed 13 Mar 13

grimtown says...

Bolton is a third world town created by the council.
Bolton is a third world town created by the council. grimtown

9:36am Thu 14 Mar 13

tinypet says...

berushka wrote:
or maybe they won't have the money to spend on beer and cigarettes but instead will get what they ask for, even if they really wanted the cash. It is about time some people stopped expecting a handout as if they are a special case, and started doing something about it, like working for instance! Half the money spent by the council is wasted on scroungers, loafers, layabouts and labour voters.
I work full time as does my husband, and might i add am a labour voter! bring on the next election time to get this p r i c k out! The way he has dealt with the elderly , wtf did they bother fighting in the war, lives lost for nothing coz he is screwing this country up. bedroom tax again doesnt affect me what so ever, what a load of shi te this is, all because of social housing problems! maybe like other countrys if we was to emigrate we have to have something to offer that country, if he closed the gates to the free loaders that come in there wouldnt be a social housing problem! I believe in looking after your own first, our PM is more for screwing his own over. shame income tax is deducted straight from our earnings cause i for one would tell him to go get f u c k ed
[quote][p][bold]berushka[/bold] wrote: or maybe they won't have the money to spend on beer and cigarettes but instead will get what they ask for, even if they really wanted the cash. It is about time some people stopped expecting a handout as if they are a special case, and started doing something about it, like working for instance! Half the money spent by the council is wasted on scroungers, loafers, layabouts and labour voters.[/p][/quote]I work full time as does my husband, and might i add am a labour voter! bring on the next election time to get this p r i c k out! The way he has dealt with the elderly , wtf did they bother fighting in the war, lives lost for nothing coz he is screwing this country up. bedroom tax again doesnt affect me what so ever, what a load of shi te this is, all because of social housing problems! maybe like other countrys if we was to emigrate we have to have something to offer that country, if he closed the gates to the free loaders that come in there wouldnt be a social housing problem! I believe in looking after your own first, our PM is more for screwing his own over. shame income tax is deducted straight from our earnings cause i for one would tell him to go get f u c k ed tinypet

12:17pm Fri 15 Mar 13

berushka says...

tinypet wrote:
berushka wrote:
or maybe they won't have the money to spend on beer and cigarettes but instead will get what they ask for, even if they really wanted the cash. It is about time some people stopped expecting a handout as if they are a special case, and started doing something about it, like working for instance! Half the money spent by the council is wasted on scroungers, loafers, layabouts and labour voters.
I work full time as does my husband, and might i add am a labour voter! bring on the next election time to get this p r i c k out! The way he has dealt with the elderly , wtf did they bother fighting in the war, lives lost for nothing coz he is screwing this country up. bedroom tax again doesnt affect me what so ever, what a load of shi te this is, all because of social housing problems! maybe like other countrys if we was to emigrate we have to have something to offer that country, if he closed the gates to the free loaders that come in there wouldnt be a social housing problem! I believe in looking after your own first, our PM is more for screwing his own over. shame income tax is deducted straight from our earnings cause i for one would tell him to go get f u c k ed
I really did try to read your comment, but it was so badly written, very poor grammar and use of English, abbreviated swearing normally used by young, uneducated morons, and, finally, resorting to clear obscenities left me deciding not to bother. Obviously you are one of our 'intelligent' labour followers who think Councillor Morris is good at his job. But if you really want to emigrate, go ahead. That would improve Bolton no end!
[quote][p][bold]tinypet[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]berushka[/bold] wrote: or maybe they won't have the money to spend on beer and cigarettes but instead will get what they ask for, even if they really wanted the cash. It is about time some people stopped expecting a handout as if they are a special case, and started doing something about it, like working for instance! Half the money spent by the council is wasted on scroungers, loafers, layabouts and labour voters.[/p][/quote]I work full time as does my husband, and might i add am a labour voter! bring on the next election time to get this p r i c k out! The way he has dealt with the elderly , wtf did they bother fighting in the war, lives lost for nothing coz he is screwing this country up. bedroom tax again doesnt affect me what so ever, what a load of shi te this is, all because of social housing problems! maybe like other countrys if we was to emigrate we have to have something to offer that country, if he closed the gates to the free loaders that come in there wouldnt be a social housing problem! I believe in looking after your own first, our PM is more for screwing his own over. shame income tax is deducted straight from our earnings cause i for one would tell him to go get f u c k ed[/p][/quote]I really did try to read your comment, but it was so badly written, very poor grammar and use of English, abbreviated swearing normally used by young, uneducated morons, and, finally, resorting to clear obscenities left me deciding not to bother. Obviously you are one of our 'intelligent' labour followers who think Councillor Morris is good at his job. But if you really want to emigrate, go ahead. That would improve Bolton no end! berushka

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree