Coronavirus (COVID-19): Support and advice

Information about support available in South Tyneside, and links to official advice.

If you have recently received a letter advising that you are on the shielded patient list

We have been told about the people in South Tyneside who have recently been added to the Government's list of patients who, because of health or other concerns, have been identified as being at potential increased risk of becoming seriously unwell from coronavirus.

If this affects you, you should have received letters from both Central Government and South Tyneside Council.

As part of our ongoing support, we may contact you by phone. These calls will come from 0191 574 0020 and may come from Voicescape, which is an automated service.

The call will ask you to let us know if you need additional support.

Please be assured that calls from this number are genuine.

Hardship Fund - support in a financial crisis

Visit the South Tyneside Council website for information about the Hardship Fund for those in a financial crisis.

Test and Trace Support Payment

Test and Trace Support is a £500 lump sum payment for people on low incomes, who are unable to work because they have been asked to self-isolate. See Test and Trace Support Payment.

Rent

If you have any difficulty paying your rent at this time, please contact us on 0300 123 6633. More about paying your rent.

Benefits, money and debt advice

The ongoing pandemic has created a lot of financial uncertainty. If you are worried about your money then it is best to get specialist advice.

If you have problems with debt then you should seek help from our Welfare Support Team. Whether it is advice about the debts that you have or assistance to negotiate with your creditors then we can help. If you want advice and support about your welfare benefits and claiming them or even to know whether your entitlement is correct then the Welfare Support Team can assist.

You can contact the team on 0191 4246040 or email welfaresupport@southtynesidehomes.org.uk

We can offer telephone and face to face appointments.

Universal Credit advice

For information about Universal Credit, visit Understanding Universal Credit.

For full details including eligibility and to make a claim, visit: GOV.UK: Universal Credit.

Court and eviction advice

The Government previously suspended court and eviction applications because of the COVID-19 pandemic. These restrictions have now been lifted.

If you fail to pay your rent, make a satisfactory payment arrangement or maintain your court order, legal action may be considered.

If you are having difficulties paying your rent, contact the Income team on 0300 123 6633 to discuss the support that may be available to you.

Homelessness

If you find yourself without accommodation or know of someone sleeping rough, please contact us.

At this time priority will be given to people who are sleeping rough, fleeing domestic abuse, or are unable to remain at their current accommodation.

Information about homelessness support.

Support for those most at risk

Visit the Council's website for information about support for those most at risk.

Domestic abuse

If you, or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police.

Visit the South Tyneside Council website for information about domestic abuse support.

Council Tax

If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax, you can apply for help towards your Council Tax costs by applying for Council Tax Support.

Visit the South Tyneside Council website for information about Council Tax.

Support for migrant communities

We can provide help if you:

Currently have no immigration status awarded by the Home Office
Have no access to benefits (known as no recourse to Public Funds)
Are homeless
Need assistance or accommodation

Call the Housing Options team on 0300 123 6633.

If you find yourself without accommodation call:

0800 141 2645 (freephone) - Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, and Friday 9am to 4.30pm
0191 456 2093 - out of office hours

Support for businesses

There is support for businesses in South Tyneside.

Visit the South Tyneside Council website for information about support for businesses.

South Tyneside Council garden tidy scheme

The South Tyneside Council garden tidy scheme is still taking place, but may take longer than usual.

To maintain safe social distancing, you will not be asked for a signature, we will not knock on your door and only gardens that are accessible will be completed.

You can still apply for the scheme by contacting your local Housing Officer.

This scheme is for South Tyneside Homes tenants only who are over 65, have a disability and are unable to maintain their garden and do not have any family living in the Borough that can help.

Please note, this is different to the garden tidy service provided by South Tyneside Homes.

More support for people in South Tyneside

For more information about support for people in South Tyneside, including:

Free school meals
Food banks
Laundry
and more

Visit the South Tyneside Council website: Support for people in South Tyneside

Scams

Trading Standards is warning people to remain vigilant following a rise in coronavirus-related scams that seek to benefit from the public's concern and uncertainty over COVID-19.

Visit the South Tyneside Council website for advice on scams and staying safe.

Armed Forces support

Support is available through South Tyneside Council's Support Hub for any serving, reservists or veterans and their dependents. The NAAFI Break team is also available within the community.

Visit the South Tyneside Council website for more information about armed forces support.

Houses in multiple occupation

South Tyneside Council has provided information and guidance for landlords and tenants of houses in multiple occupation (HMO) during the coronavirus pandemic.

Visit the South Tyneside Council website for more information - Information and advice for landlords and tenants of houses in multiple occupation

Government and NHS advice

For the latest official Government advice and information, including guidance on staying at home, see GOV.UK: Coronavirus.

For the latest information about coronavirus, including what to do if you think you have symptoms, visit NHS: Coronavirus.

For advice about going into work, see GOV.UK: Advice for employees, employers and businesses.

If you've had a letter from NHS England identifying you as extremely vulnerable, visit gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable to register for the support that you need.