Support for individuals

I want to know more about

• Self-isolating or what do if I am vulnerable
• Financial support
• Housing issues
• Work and self-employment
• Bereavement and mental health support
• Domestic abuse
• Other support and advice
• Staying up to date
• Further information

If you are self-isolating or vulnerable

• For information on mutual aid groups and organisations who can help you get the things you need, visit our Support within the community page.
• Read the Government's guidance on what to do if you need to self-isolate (Opens in a new window).

• The Government has today (11 December) announced that, from 14 December, there will be a change to the self-isolation period from 14 to ten days. Full details can be found in the Government announcement (Opens in a New Window)

Financial support

Council Tax Support

• If you have lost your job as a result of Coronavirus and need help with paying your Council Tax then you can claim Council Tax Support 
• Anyone who is eligible for Council Tax Support could receive up to £300 extra support in 2020/21. You do not need to apply for this additional support, the Council will provide it to all those who are eligible automatically.
• A further £200,000 has been made available to assist those receiving Council Tax Support if they are struggling to pay their Council Tax. To apply, complete the CTS Hardship Application Form (.doc) ( 349KB) (Opens in a New Window)

Benefits

• If you are already getting benefits - view the Government's what to do if you're already getting benefits page (Opens in a new window).
• For advice, view the Government's employment and benefit support website (Opens in a new window).

Test and trace support payment

Housing Issues

Protection for renters

• View the Government's advice for tenants, landlords and local authorities (Opens in a new window)

Homelessness

• During Office Hours - If someone is sleeping rough, they, or someone supporting them should contact the Housing Options Team for advice and assistance.  The team can be contacted on 0115 917 3400 or email housingoptions@broxtowe.gov.uk. The Housing Options Team will discuss the circumstances and will be able to refer the rough sleeper to temporary accommodation within the Nottinghamshire area. 
• Outside Office Hours - Broxtowe Borough Council works closely with the Street Outreach Team, managed by Framework, to try and positively engage and advise rough sleepers within Broxtowe.  The Street Outreach Team can be contacted on 0800 066 5356. The Council also offer a limited service out of hours for emergency housing situations.  They can be contacted on 0115 917 7777.

Work and self-employment

• If you've been furloughed - view the GOV UK work, financial support and money pages (Opens in a new window)
• If you've lost your job  - view the Government's what to do if you've lost your job page (Opens in a new window)
• If you are self-employed - view the GOV UK Self Employment page (Opens in a new window)
• The Government is offering free online training to help you improve your skills if you aren't able to work at the moment. View the Skills Toolkit website (Opens in a new window) 

Bereavement and mental health support

• Organisations who you can contact if you are struggling with your mental health can be found on our Mental Health Page or the GOV.UK Looking after your mental health webpage (Opens in a new window)
• Support organisations if you are experiencing a bereavement as a result of COVID-19 are available on our Bereavement Support page, along with an online Book of Condolence. 

Domestic Abuse

• Advice and organisations who can support you if you or someone you know are affected by domestic abuse is available on the Gov UK support for victims of domestic abuse webpage (Opens in a new window). More local services are listed on our Domestic Abuse page.
• The Home Office has launched a new 'Abuse Codeword Scheme'. The scheme provides a simple and discreet way for people experiencing domestic abuse to signal that they need immediate help from the police or other support services, using a codeword in their local pharmacy. Find full details can be found on the Government website ( Opens in a New Window).

Other support and advice

Advice on:

• Schools Reopening - View the Government's education during Coronavirus information (Opens in a new window)
• Energy bills - View the Government's energy bills support information (Opens in a new window).
• Data charges for online NHS advice - View the Government's mobile data information (Opens in a new window).
• MOTS - View the Government's MOTs extended information (Opens in a new window).

Citizens Advice Broxtowe 

• For General advice please call – 0300 4568369
• For Consumer advice please call – 03454 040506
• For Universal Credit advice please call – 0800 1448444 or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk/helptoclaim (Opens in a new window)
• For Debt advice only please call  01773 768363 (Eastwood area) or 01159 173802 (Beeston area)
• For Webchat advice then please visit – www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact (Opens in a new window)

They have also put useful information on their website about what Coronavirus means for you - view the Citizen's Advice Coronavirus advice page (Opens in a new window) 

Advice in other formats

Doctors of the World are providing regular updates of translated guidance based on the NHS and the UK government’s advice and health information. The information is translated with the support of British Red Cross, Migrant Help, Clear Voice, and the Eastern European Resource Centre and is aimed at the migrant and asylum-seeking communities in the UK.

• View translations from Doctors of the World (Opens in a new window)
• View translations from the Health Service Executive (Opens in a new window)
• Easy read information on Coronavirus (Opens in a new window)
• Coronavirus information in BSL (Opens in a new window)

Scams

The community has really come together during the period of uncertainty we are facing during the COVID-19 outbreak. However, there are some people who are taking advantage of the situation and targeting the most vulnerable.

We don't want to discourage anyone from helping their neighbours or family members, and we don't want to breed distrust in those genuine members of the community trying to support others.

We simply ask that you remain vigilant.

Advice is available on the Nottinghamshire County Council scams page (Opens in a new window).

A new hotline has been launched to stop fraudsters illegally targeting COVID stimulus schemes. Call the COVID Fraud Hotline (0800 587 5030) anonymously and free of charge to report suspected fraudulent activity.

Staying up to date

The easiest way to stay up to date with the Council's updates is:

• By checking this webpage
• Following us on social media at www.facebook.com/BroxtoweBoroughCouncil (Opens in a new window) or @broxtowebc on Twitter
• Signing up to our Latest News Email Me Service at www.broxtowe.gov.uk/emailme  (Opens in a new window)

Further information

• NHS Website (Opens in a new window)
• Government Covid-19 website (Opens in a new window)
• Public Health England website (Opens in a new window)