21028 Cambridgeshire County Council Provision of Cambridgeshire Local Assistance Scheme

The Cambridgeshire Local Assistance Scheme (CLAS) contract delivers needs led services to individuals and families in financial hardship. Its focus is on financial resilience providing early advice, support and works with clients helping them to move on from a crisis point to prevent reoccurrence. This service includes a Money Advice Support Service and the delivery of a range of grants (Supermarket vouchers, Recycled Goods and New White Goods) which are available to residents of Cambridgeshire who are in hardship that meet the eligibility criteria . The CLAS providers' collaborative work within Cambridgeshire's Hardship Support System has enabled coordinated responses and the sharing of intelligence. The current provider has developed Charity Networks that are District based. The Charity Networks draw together over 200 organisations who operate within Cambridgeshire and who all have an interest in supporting people who are experiencing severe hardship and poverty. This service also has digital and online services. During the first Covid-19 lockdown, CLAS distributed additional funding to help Cambridgeshire residents experiencing hardship due to Covid 19.