HIV/AIDS Work including Welfare Fund

Aim
To provide an appropriate service to those who are HIV Positive and living with AIDS

Objectives

•  to provide a user friendly, easy access, non-threatening point of contact for those who are HIV+ seeking information and advice

•  to provide a co-ordinated care service in conjunction with the Specialist Nurse and Specialist Social Worker

•  to provide a Welfare Fund

The service is provided by:

•  the provision of one-to-one specialist support

•  the administration of the Welfare Fund

•  the provision of specialist support on demand

During the 2006/07 Signposts has received a low level of funding from Adult and Community Care Services to provide a core offer to those who are HIV Positive or living with AIDS. It has been acknowledged that this service has been provided within our mainstream services rather than as a stand alone provision.

However, towards the end of the financial year we have been in discussions to reinvigorate our service in the coming financial year in line with the emerging strategy which is being developed as a result of an analysis of services which has been carried out Countywide.

The Service is provided by:

•  the collation of relevant materials which are then made available to individuals and agencies

•  the production of information materials on local services

•  to provision of sexual health materials within Signposts

•  the training of the whole staff team at Signposts so that they can respond to day-to-day enquires

•  the provision of specialist one-to-one support around HIV issues

•  the provision of one-to-one support, advice and information to gay men and men who have sex with men

Service Delivery is managed by the Project Director who also undertakes the service delivery due to the low demand and sensitive nature of the work.

Leaflet

Welfare Fund

The Welfare Fund is available to help to improve the quality of life of people with AIDS and symptomatic HIV. The fund provides financial help towards the cost of items and services which applicants cannot afford on their current income, and for which funding is not available from statutory sources.

Eligibility and Scope
The fund can only give grants to a person directly affected by the symptomatic stage HIV infection. It cannot give help to families, partners, friends and others involved in care of the applicant. It cannot help with council tax, holidays, rent/mortgage arrears or funeral costs. It cannot provide emergency cash payments.

The fund is only available to people living in Lancashire and Cumbria.

Referrals
All referrals must be supported by a professional third party. These include a social worker, welfare rights worker, probation worker, health adviser, drug worker and a paid employee of a voluntary organisation.

Medical Proof
Proof of medical status may be required

Application Form
All requests must be made on the Signposts Welfare Fund Application Form. - <Word Format> Please make sure that all sections are completed, including the applicant’s signature. Incomplete applications will be returned. The more the information which is given in Section 5 of the form, the better we can assess the merits of the application.

Payments
For the applicant’s convenience, household bill payments are made direct to the company concerned; please include the original copy of bills with the application. For TV licenses, please include the completed license form so that the license can be provided directly to the applicant.

For further information, please contact Signposts between 10.00 am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Telephone (01524) 419597