Crisis grants launched for struggling families

Crisis grants launched for struggling familiesJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleAisha IqbalBradford political reporterPAIt is hoped the new crisis grants will streamline support services and help struggling familiesStruggling families in Bradford will be able to apply for new "crisis" grants to help them cope with unexpected life events.The money will come from an £800m national fund, with Bradford receiving a £12.7m-a-year share over the next three years.The fund aims to support low-income households facing sudden financial shocks such as losing a job, unexpected bills, illness or changes in family circumstances.Iain MacBeath, Bradford Council's strategic director for health, said it was also an opportunity to bring together various strands of work supporting families who often have "multiple issues to resolve".At a meeting of the local authority's executive on Tuesday, MacBeath said the scheme aimed to move beyond emergency aid by helping families become more financially "resilient", offering advice on managing money, accessing benefits, reducing debt and finding work.Support will be delivered through a "no wrong door" approach, he said, meaning residents can access help online, by phone or in person and be guided to the right service without being passed between agencies.The programme, announced in January nationally, replaces previous schemes such as Discretionary Housing Payments and builds on existing local welfare support.MacBeath said the new system would adapt some existing elements such as food support, housing and customer services, and was "an opportunity to fund these properly and connect them together to meet needs".Mike Pollard, from the opposition Conservatives at Labour-run Bradford Council, welcomed the connectivity aims, but questioned the viability of bringing together "at least a couple of dozen different strands of activity" currently operating in the Bradford distri...