Coronavirus Support

In accordance with Government guidelines, we have stopped all face to face access to protect our staff, volunteers and the public. Please contact us by phone on 03444 111 444 or email as an alternative to visiting us in person. If you had an appointment we will contact you to arrange advice over the phone. 

Universal Credit
If you need to apply for Universal Credit visit gov.uk or call our Help to Claim line 0800 144 8 444. Advisers are available 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.  You can use webchat to speak to an adviser on citizensadvice.org.uk/contact-us

If you don't have a computer call the DWP helpline Telephone: 0800 328 5644 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. You can also call our Help to Claim line 0800 144 8444

The DWP have added a section to their website about Universal Credit and the coronavirus https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus/

Benefits Advice
For general Benefits advice you can also contact the East Sussex Benefits Helpline on 0333 344 0681

You can use the benefit calculators  on Turn2us https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/Benefits-and-Coronavirus-new

Housing
If you have a housing enquiry you can contact BHT Eastbourne Advice on 01323 642615 or by sending an email to eastbourneadvice@bht.org.uk

or visit the Citizens Advice website https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/if-you-cant-pay-your-bills-because-of-coronavirus/#h-if-you-can-t-pay-your-rent

or visit the Shelter website which has a new section about this https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/coronavirus

Consumer
For advice on consumer issues (e.g. issues related to products or services you've purchased) contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or chat online to an adviser on our website.

Other Enquiries
Citizens Advice has created new pages covering aspects 
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you/

Work
Useful information on the ACAS website https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus

Gov.uk Advice for employers and businesses https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/guidance-for-employers-and-businesses-on-covid-19

If your employer has had to lay you off due to coronavirus they can claim money for your wages from the government through the job retention scheme https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

Self Employed
The government recently announced a support scheme for self-employed people
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme

Support for Businesses
Find out what financial support you can get for your business https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support

Find out how to claim for your employee’s wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

See updates from Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce   https://www.eastbourneunltd.co.uk/

Business East Sussex -1:1 support and advice via phone/email to help navigate the local and national support offers.
Call 01273 335878 to speak to an adviser Email: info@businesseastsussex.org.uk Website: https://southeastbusiness.org.uk/east-sussex/.

Community Hubs
Community hubs are the contact point that residents of East Sussex can turn to if they feel they need extra help in coping with the effects of coronavirus or know someone else who needs help. To find out more visit:

https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/community/emergencyplanningandcommunitysafety/coronavirus/coronavirus-community-hubs/

Website: Lewes and Eastbourne Councils        Phone: 01323 679722

Local Support
Find sources of support in the East Sussex area including a section for Eastbourne on the 3VA website
https://www.3va.org.uk/how-we-can-help/coronavirus/community-responses

and also on Facebook co-ordinated by Eastbourne Volunteers https://www.facebook.com/groups/EastbourneCommunityGroup/

or NHS Volunteer Responders for people who are vulnerable or at high-risk and need to self-isolate https://volunteering.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/nhs-volunteer-responders-portal/isolating

Foodbank
For information on how to access food supplies locally visit
https://eastbourne.foodbank.org.uk/important-covid-19-update/

Food provision (for homeless people)
Here is a list of food provision for homeless people in Eastbourne from various charities View List

Food Deliveries
A number of food establishments in Eastbourne are offering a home delivery service or collections for meals or groceries at this time. See what's available here http://eatlocal.info/

Gas and Electricity bills (fuel costs)
You can get help with fuel costs by contacting the Warm Home Check Service run by Citizens Advice East Sussex https://www.warmhomecheckservice.org/  Alternatively you can text “WARM” with your name and postcode to 81400.

Household items
COVID-19 Essential Household Item Scheme provide Beds, White goods such as fridges, freezers and washing machines. Small appliances such as microwaves and toasters. Miscellaneous essential household items such as utensil packs.  https://nowcharity.org.uk/coronavirus-household-scheme

Domestic and sexual abuse and violence
If you need advice & support about domestic or sexual abuse or violence get in touch with The Portal. 

Grant funds for individuals
Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce has compiled a list of grant funds available for individuals who have been affected by coronavirus Grant funds for individuals

 

Other local agencies

Age Concern Eastbourne         Age UK East Sussex     Care for the Carers         Eastbourne Blind Society

East Sussex Hearing Resource Centre      East Sussex Recovery Alliance (ESRA)

Survivors' Network    Sussex Community Rail Partnership       Sussex Interpreting Services

 

Health
The government has provided advice on various health aspects including: 

Medical Advice from NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Frequently asked questions from Public Health England https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/01/23/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/

Extremely vulnerable people - register for support

If you have a medical condition which makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19), register and tell us whether or not you need support.

You may have received a letter from the NHS telling you that you’re clinically extremely vulnerable, or been contacted by your GP or hospital clinician. If this has not happened, contact your GP or clinician after you register with this service https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable or phone 0800 028 8327