Help to move or furnish your home (Supporting Independence Scheme)

The Supporting Independence Scheme (SIS) is available to help Newcastle residents who have a support worker and are in or moving to settled accommodation in Newcastle. Funding can only be considered for residents who are receiving income-related benefits, have savings under £500 and are able to demonstrate they have exhausted all alternatives. Support is targeted at people in the following circumstances:

• People moving from homeless accommodation in Newcastle
• People moving to avoid going into homeless accommodation, usually from asylum accommodation, hospital, or with support from Newcastle City Council’s Private Rented Service or Complex Case Panel
• People living in the community who can demonstrate they have exhausted all alternative schemes and cannot otherwise obtain these items within a reasonable time frame. 

Residents cannot apply directly to the scheme – they must be supported by Newcastle-based support worker/s, who will make the application on their behalf. This is because we cannot support all residents experiencing financial difficulties, and we know that people are more likely to remain independent with support.

The SIS can provide basic household items that help people to access or maintain independent accommodation - for example beds, cookers, fridges. The value of awards depends on the needs and circumstances of applicants.

To refer into the scheme, either complete the application form on Newcastle Gateway or if you don’t have access, email activeinclusion@newcastle.gov.uk to request a PDF application form.  

You can also find information on sourcing affordable furniture on Information Now: 

• Affordable furniture - Information Now
• Affordable electrical goods - Information Now