Guidelines for applicants to the Flood Relief Fund, January 2014

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1 Guidelines for applicants to the Flood Relief Fund, January 2014 Somerset County Council has provided 50,000 to relieve the financial hardship experienced by people whose home has been flooded. If funds allow the scheme will be extended to those whose livelihoods have been harmed (e.g. through loss of earnings). This fund has been made available in response to the exceptional weather experienced in the county of Somerset shortly before, during and after the Christmas period. It is not a permanent fund. The programme will be administered by Somerset Community Foundation (charity no ) as part of our Surviving Winter programme and we will be seeking further donations from members of the public. Our priority is to alleviate the immediate hardship experience by people whose homes were flooded through our Phase 1 Emergency Relief Grants at a flat-rate of 250. Subject to demand for these grants (and this may be influenced by further episodes of flooding from exceptional weather patterns this winter), we plan to introduce discretionary Phase 2 Grants from the start of February. Phase 1: Emergency Relief Grants (available from January 8 th 2014) Our first priority is to get Emergency Relief Grants of 250 as swiftly as possible to people whose homes have been flooded since mid-december 2013 to alleviate immediate financial hardship caused by the floods. For example: temporary accommodation, meals, hiring dryers, sourcing alternative heaters or cookers, cleaning up, high insurance premiums. They can also be used for emergency repairs and replacement of damaged fixtures and fittings if these are essential to the welfare of the applicants and are not covered by insurance. This list is not exhaustive. For the avoidance of doubt home refers to the applicant s main place of residence, and to the living space (i.e. not gardens or outbuildings). Grants cannot be used for work that will reduce the future risk of flooding.

2 Anyone whose home has been flooded is eligible to apply. The scheme is not means-tested but we do need to understand the financial hardship you are experiencing as a result of your home being flooded. If funds are limited, priority will be given to the most vulnerable households 1. Losses that are or will be covered by insurance are ineligible but in some cases, particularly where financial hardship is caused by temporary cash flow problems (e.g. waiting for insurance claims), a loan (0% interest) rather than a grant may be offered. The application form requires you to explain how the flood is affecting your household and how the grant will alleviate financial hardship. Please complete these sections as fully as you can within the space made available. It will help us understand the impact upon your household and how a grant will alleviate the hardship and disruption you are experiencing. If you do not complete these sections sufficiently, we may not be able to award you a grant. You can also opt to provide us with more information that will help us understand your situation more clearly, particularly in relation to Phase 2 grants (see below). The form must be independently countersigned by someone in a position of authority who can confirm you have been flooded. For example this could be a local parish councillor, member of the clergy, or someone from emergency services. If you need help in filling the form out, please call us on Phase 2: Recovery Grants Subject to funds being available we expect to extend the programme in the following ways: 1. More targeted grants to the most vulnerable households that have been flooded with further support up to 750 (from Feb 1) 2. Extend the Emergency Relief Grants to others whose livelihoods have been affected by the floods, or have incurred exceptional and additional expenses as a result of the floods (from Feb 15) 3. Fund charitable organisations providing support to those who have been affected by the flooding (e.g. counselling services) (from Mar 1) The availability and timing of Phase 2 grants may vary due to circumstances beyond our control. Please visit for up to date information and further guidance. 1 Household with residents over 75, with children under 5, with people with long-term illness, with people less able to cope (e.g. those with learning difficulties or mental health) and those on low incomes.

3 Emergency Flood Relief Grant Application (All questions are mandatory unless indicated otherwise. We may not be able to consider incomplete applications.) Name of applicant Address Postcode Tel no If you are unable to use your normal telephone number or , please provide alternative contact details: Household members Number Age 65 or older Age Age 5-18 Age 5 or younger Do any of your household members have a disability, long-term illness or suffer from mental health illness? Yes/No Date(s) your home* was flooded: *For the avoidance of doubt, home refers to your main place of residence and does not include gardens or outbuildings. In rented property, tenants rather than landlords should apply. Second or holiday homes are not eligible.

4 Please describe the impacts the flood has had on your household as a result of your home being flooded, and in particular where you have incurred additional financial costs: Please describe how an Emergency Relief Grant will help your household overcome financial hardship (even if it is temporary) caused by the flooding: Optional Information You do not have to fill these sections out but they will help us understand your situation and prioritise our support if necessary. Do you have Building Insurance? Yes/No Do you have Contents Insurance? Yes/No If No, please briefly explain why not: Are you in receipt of benefits? Yes/No If yes, please tell us which ones?

5 Payment Details As grants will normally be paid directly into your account we require your bank details. Name of account Sort-code Account No If you are asking us to pay the grant to someone else to hold on your behalf please explain why here. If you prefer payment by cheque, please tick here Declaration Applicant I confirm that my home has been flooded during the December 2013/January 2014 flood and the information in this form is correct. Signed Print Name Date Countersignature (to be signed by a person in a position of authority e.g. local parish councillor, member of the clergy, or someone from emergency services.) I confirm that the applicant s home has been flooded during the December 2013/January 2014 floods and the information in this form is correct to the best of my knowledge. I will treat the information in this application in the strictest confidence. Signed Print Name Date Role/Position Contact tel

6 Confidentiality Personal information recorded on this form will be treated confidentially by Somerset Community Foundation although we may need to share data with our partners in order to achieve swift and timely response to your needs. In such cases we will require our partners to also respect your confidentiality. Data may be used for monitoring purposes. Fraud Grants awarded to fraudulent applications will be claimed back. Once completed please send this form to Somerset Community Foundation, Yeoman House, Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet BA4 6QN. Scanned copies (with signatures) may be sent to