We are continuing to provide services and are doing all we can to support our local communities.

We are also working with partners on the Coronavirus emergency response, focusing on the needs of the most vulnerable.

You can contact us during normal office hours on 01228 817200 or email [email protected] and help will be available. Our Civic Centre Customer Contact Centre is also open between 9am - 5pm, Monday to Thursday and 9am - 4pm on Fridays for face-to-face enquiries. Every effort has been made to ensure customer and staff safety when visiting the contact centre, therefore it is advised that customers continue to wear a face covering and use the hand sanitiser provided. Customers are advised not to visit the contact centre if they have tested positive or are showing symptoms of Coronavirus.

 

Help is here’ campaign 

Cumbria County Council, local NHS, district councils and the community and voluntary sector are making it easier for the county's residents to find support if they are struggling with the pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Go to the county council's website to find out more.

For residents who need urgent help finding food and essential items, or if they are struggling to cope with their current situation for whatever reason, they are advised to call the county council’s Support Helpline on 0800 783 1966 (Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, Friday 9am to 4.30pm). 

 

Financial support

If you're struggling to pay your council tax or want to spread the costs, please get in touch by emailing us or give us a call. We also have a council tax reduction scheme and a hardship fund in place which is open for applications.

An application process is now available for Test and Trace Support Payments.

 

Benefits Advice Service

Our Benefits Advice Service is continuing to support local residents; providing support on a variety of topics including all benefits, Universal Credit and Tax Credits.   

Contact them by calling 01228 817400, during normal office hours, callers are asked to leave their contact details and an adviser will return the call. Queries can also be emailed to [email protected] - if possible, please include a contact telephone number.

 

Homeless support

Prevention support - Housing advice and assistance

We continue to provide advice and assistance.

If you are currently experiencing housing difficulties including arrears, it is important to contact us at the earliest opportunity so that we can try to assist in advance of a crisis and prevent homelessness from occurring where possible.

In addition, we offer a range of community-based support interventions for families and individuals at risk of homelessness as a result of domestic abuse and exploitation including access to personal/household safety equipment. Find out more here.

Crisis support - Homeless, rough sleeping and fleeing violence

We continue to provide a range of emergency accommodation and support as part of a rehousing pathway. This include hostels, safe houses and self-contained dispersed provision for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping safely in line with our statutory responsibilities, Public Health England and government guidance.

In addition, we currently provide additional support to those who reside in our emergency accommodation where there are self-isolation challenges, making sure people have access to the facilities that enable them to adhere to public health guidance on hygiene and self-isolation, including PPE, medication, food, access to testing etc.

There is a wide range of support options available including rehousing/move on support including employment, training, health and wellbeing, staying safe, income maximisation/benefits advice and tenancy sustainment support.

How to contact us?

We continue to deliver responsive services 24 hour a day and will continue to do all we can to support vulnerable residents; including those at risk of or experiencing domestic abuse and rough sleeping.

You can contact our services directly using this link.

If you are unable to complete the online referral link you can email us via [email protected]

You can also contact us during normal office hours by calling 01228 817200.

Our out of hours contact numbers are 01228 817386 (single women and families) and 01228 817373 (single men).