Cambridgeshire Local Assistance Scheme (CLAS)

Some families and individuals can sometimes need help and advice about making their money go further and sometimes need access to goods and resources to help them to move on from a difficult situation. Cambridgeshire's Local Assistance Scheme has been running since April 2013, providing a front line safety net to those facing financial difficulties and unexpected hardship. Cambridgeshire County Council recognises the value of the local assistance scheme in helping individuals and families cope with financial pressure and hardship. This contract will help struggling families and individuals to access information, advice and support, ensuring all other sources of assistance have been sought before goods or resources are awarded. This will help people to avoid a future crisis, to be more resilient, to better support themselves and to make the most of other opportunities. For those in most need, the service will facilitate access to a range of resources, which includes making use of reliable, refurbished, reused, and low cost household items and white goods, but this must be part of an effective, joined up intervention.