Norfolk Assistance Scheme
If you’re going through a period of crisis or are a vulnerable person, the Norfolk Assistance Scheme can help you get the ongoing support you need.
If you apply for help and are successful, you’ll also receive a voucher to use with one of our partners to get essential household items.
Our partners are local charities focused on helping Norfolk people, delivering goods across the whole of the county and providing high-quality, pre-owned items.
Awards can also be made in crisis situations for small amounts of cash or fuel.
How the scheme works
You must be a Norfolk resident aged 16 or over to apply for the scheme and you’ll be asked a set of questions to check if you’re eligible for an award.
You may be eligible if you:
- Receive an income-related benefit
- Have dependent children
- Have a disability or mental health problem
- Are fleeing domestic violence
- Need help to remain in the community
- Are part of a planned resettlement scheme
You’ll be assessed to discover whether an award is due, how much you’ll get and what form it will take. If you’re not eligible, you’ll be directed to alternative sources of local help.
See our Norfolk Assistance Scheme policy for more details about the scheme.
How to apply
You can apply online for the Norfolk Assistance Scheme and we’ve provided some guidance to help you fill out the form.
You can save your application at any point and come back to it later. When you click on the save button it will take you to a page with a PIN number and instructions on how to come back to your application. The PIN number is valid for 5 days after which it will expire. If your PIN does expire, you will need to re-apply.
Take a note of this PIN number as without it you won't be able to reopen your application and will have to start again.
If you apply online and haven't been contacted after 10 days, contact your support worker or the NAS team on 01603 223392 (Option 5).
To apply for the scheme by telephone, call 01603 223392 (Option 5).
You can also make an assisted application through a network of approved partners.
You can’t make applications in person at Norfolk County Council offices.
Get help with gas and electricity costs
You may be able to get help with fuel costs from the scheme during the winter months (October to March). To access this help, please make an application to the scheme.
Contact your fuel supplier straight away if you’re behind with payments of your gas or electricity bills.
Get help if you’re on a pre-payment meter, have run out of credit and need gas or electricity urgently.
Get urgent help with food
You can use a local foodbank, but you'll have to get a foodbank voucher first. The Trussell Trust website explains how to get vouchers and helps you locate foodbanks throughout Norfolk.
Other useful websites
- GOV.UK, the Government website, has information on benefits, childcare, carers and jobs
- Citizen’s Advice offers free and confidential advice on issues including money and debt, families, housing and health
- NCLS (Norfolk Community Law Service) provides access to justice and equality for disadvantaged and vulnerable people
- NCAN (Norfolk Community Advice Network) is a partnership of more than 50 social welfare advice agencies offering free advice
- Reuse Network has information on the Norfolk reuse centres where you can pick up donated home, electrical and IT items, sometimes for free
- Turn2us has a Find an Adviser tool so you can search for sources of advice on subjects such as benefits, housing and legal issues
- The Credit Unions website will help you find your local credit union
Become an approved partner for the Norfolk Assistance Scheme
If you're from a support organisation and wish to find out more about becoming an approved partner, please email us at nas@norfolk.gov.uk
If you become an approved partner you’ll have access to:
- NAS charitable funding and a support database
- A quarterly NAS partner steering group
- A quarterly newsletter
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