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Crisis Loans

By Clerk Dalton Parish Council

Thursday, 26 March 2020

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Dalton Parish Council Contributor

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Whilst it is hoped that people finding themselves in financial crisis because of loss of work arising from the Covid 19 pandemic will be assisted with hardship payments by DWP, the normal Crisis Support Crisis Loans service is also still available.

Crisis loans are provided in partnership with the Council by LASER Credit Union.

Applications should be made directly to LASER. They will receive, administer, issue the loan and take repayments.

Applicants for Crisis Loans should not visit the LASER premises, but contact them by:

• mobile app secure message

• email at enquiries@lasercu.org.uk

• telephone on 01709 836500 or

• through their website at https://www.lasercreditunion.org.uk/

The Crisis Loans service

The aim of the current crisis loans service is to provide crisis loans to vulnerable people in Rotherham who find themselves in a crisis situation. The crisis loan should enable the individual to resolve their crisis. LCU will continue to ensure that provision going forward remains flexible and adaptive.

There are a number of reasons for an individual being in crisis and what is needed to resolve the crisis. LCU, therefore, has a flexible approach in its assessment of an individual’s crisis and the financial support needed to resolve it. Crisis loans can be provided to purchase food, essential household goods (e.g. bed, mattress) and electrical goods (e.g. cooker, fridge-freezer, washing machine). Crisis loans can also be provided to pay urgent bills including the payment of / top up of essential utilities such as gas, electric and water.

The list is not exhaustive or restrictive as an individual is assessed based on the crisis and how to resolve it.

In the same way the reason for applying for a crisis loan is not restricted unnecessarily and can include death in close family; loss of money; broken electrical goods; eviction prevention (proof required); gas / electricity threat of cut off (proof required).

The minimum amount of a crisis loan is £40, and the maximum amount is £120 although exceptions can be made to a maximum of £250 for purchase of essential furniture or electrical goods, where payment can be arranged / made from LCU, direct to the supplier.

Crisis Loans are interest free.

There are no administration fees.

No credit reference searches are performed in assessment of crisis loans.

Eligibility

Eligibility for crisis loan Service (it should be noted that some eligibility criteria including being assessed as being able to repay are Regulatory requirements even for a crisis loan):

  • Each applicant for a crisis loan should be a resident of Rotherham aged 18 and over;
  • Each applicant for a crisis loan should have a proven minimum income of £71 per week. LCU will ensure, however, that the minimum of £71 per week income does not have a detrimental effect on an individual’s opportunity to apply for a crisis loan especially where it has been determined that they can make the repayments. This could relate to where an individual has had their benefits sanctioned at the point of application but would be able to make the repayments at a later date;
  • A crisis loan can only be provided if an affordable repayment plan is agreed with the individual, with a minimum repayment amount agreed;
  • Crisis loan repayments are deducted from a member’s benefit which is paid into the member credit union account;
  • The number of loans that can be offered to an individual is at the discretion of LCU, the crisis being assessed, and on the individual’s repayment history. Members cannot access a second loan until the first loan has been fully repaid; and
  • To process an agreed crisis loan the applicant must be a member of or become a member of LCU and have or open a membership account. The applicant, therefore, must be able to prove their identity and provide confirmation of their address and other such documentation such as proof of income.

Contact Information

Clerk

  • 01709853364
  • 07887623674

Find Dalton Parish Council

Dalton Parish Hall, Doncaster Road, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S63 3ET

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