Coronavirus (COVID-19): Support and advice

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

Support Hub for those most at risk

If you are isolated in South Tyneside without any means of support, call the COVID-19 Support Hub on 0191 424 7575.

Opening times:

Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm
Saturday and Sunday: 9am to 1pm

This service is for people who have no other means of getting essentials such as food, medical supplies or who are struggling with their wellbeing.

Support will be tailored for individual needs and will include help with:

essential food and medicine deliveries
additional care if you live alone and don't have family, friends or social care services to support you
regular welfare checks by the Council
signposting to financial or welfare support, befriending services, mental health and support from voluntary organisations

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.

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 evictions advice

For answers to common queries around benefits, financial support and evictions, read our Coronavirus (COVID-19) frequently asked questions.

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.

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.

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

All working age residents currently in receipt of Council Tax Support will receive an additional £150 reduction in their Council Tax Bill, with no further payment due until 1st October 2020.

If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax, you can apply 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.

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 on 0191 424 7575 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.