East Sussex Welfare Benefits Service NHS/SOEPS/21.823 RFI

East Sussex CCG is reprocuring the East Sussex Welfare Benefits Service .

The contract for this service was originally set up by East Sussex County Council in 2013 to deliver a welfare reform phone helpline. The service was then developed further to offer specialist welfare benefits advice. This current service delivery model and contract have been in place since April 2016.

The NHS contract ending on the 30th of September 2022 has had the service specification updated.

The current contract arrangement has a contract arrangement with a single provider who sub-contract to three advice sector partners to deliver the service.

It is anticipated that the service would be offered for tender under a standard NHS contract for a period of 3 or 4 years commencing on the 1st October 2022 with option to extend for a maximum of a further one or two years.

The purpose of this RFI is to gauge market interest and feedback via the RFI response form for the provision of the East Sussex Welfare Benefits Service and provide the CCGs with valuable information to help update and improve the current service specification.

If you would like to discuss any aspects of the requirements, please send a portal message suggesting a date/time for a telephone conversation

Please return the questionnaire as fully as you can via the e-tendering portal by 5pm Friday 5th November 2021.

Additional information: The Welfare Benefits Service is commissioned to provide the following: • To reduce the burden of individual & household financial insecurity & the negative consequences for them, their communities, & the county • To help people access benefits they are entitled to & challenge unjust decisions where they have occurred. • To help those in need to manage their finances, avoid further debt & find a route out of unmanageable debt • To ensure that those who are likely to be most impacted by financial insecurity have access to specialist case work & advice • To help promote & protect mental health & wellbeing particularly for those with lower socio-economic status In addition to delivery of above, overall project management is commissioned to provide: • Service development, communications & briefings • Financial & budgetary control & reporting • Management information reporting • Services that raise awareness of project & available benefits • Services that strengthen relationships with health and social care professionals The pandemic has led to a huge increase in number of people claiming benefits, as incomes have fallen, & people were unable to, or restricted in their, work because workplaces have been closed, they have been isolating, shielding, or living with someone vulnerable and unable to work. While some continued to draw some salary because they were covered by the Government's income support schemes, many claimed benefits. A sample of the headline data from last financial year from the existing service in East Sussex identified:

£4,239,215 annualised benefit income realised for residents 8147 people received benefits advice 77% of respondents reported improved mental wellbeing 14,115 household members benefitted from benefits and debt advice 60% of callers to the helpline lived in the most deprived wards 79% of callers and 87% of clients had long term health conditions 82% of clients lived in the most deprived wards Unprecedented numbers of people are claiming benefits, & this is likely to increase: • Private tenant evictions for rent arrears have recommenced. • £20 addition to UC ended on 30/9/21. • The total debt allowable in a Debt Relief Order DRO goes up from £20k to £30k. This will make more people eligible for a DRO & therefore increase demand. Only an approved DRO intermediary can action a DRO & there is limited supply of accredited, registered, specialist advice in East Sussex. • Mental Health Breathing Space came into place from the beginning of May. People experiencing mental health difficulties can request a breathing space which pauses debts for 60 days allowing time to explore options. These need to be accessed through an accredited, registered, specialist debt adviser. • EU Settlement Scheme EUSS has closed. Some people were not aware of the need to apply & could have their right to work, claim benefits or rent accommodation removed. It will be possible to make a late application in some circumstances,