Content

To approve a one-year contract for Citizens
Advice West Sussex (CAWS) to deliver a dedicated outreach service
to assist residents who are struggling financially to maximise
their income by identifying relevant welfare benefits and provide a
holistic needs assessment.
 
To delegate authority to the Director of
Communities, in consultation with the Head of Legal and Democratic
Services, to finalise the terms and conditions of, and to approve
the entering into of the contract.
 

Reasons for the decision

Although Horsham is a relatively
affluent area, there are many residents across the
District that
are struggling financially and are unaware of their benefit
entitlements. CAWS can address this gap by providing a holistic
assessment of the needs of users including those on a low income
and maximise their outcomes by identifying the welfare benefits
they are entitled to and provide support to access and receive the
correct entitlements.
 

Alternative options considered

Horsham District Council (HDC)
previously funded a similar contract with CAWS through the purchase
of a database which identified vulnerable households (LIFT).
Continuation of LIFT would not be a cost-effective use of resources
as there will be an additional cost of around £40k a year for
the database and many of the households listed have already been
targeted. It is felt that an outreach service, delivered in
locations where access to services is a barrier would be a more
cost-effective way of reaching additional vulnerable
households.