UHSussex cost of living support

UHSussex Crisis Support Fund

Thanks to My University Hospitals Sussex Charity, the Trust is able to offer the following support for when staff find themselves in financial hardship:

• Supermarket vouchers for those in financial crisis of up to £50 per month for up to 10 months per year (assigned in blocks of 3 months if appropriate)
• One-off support for unexpected and significant items of expenditure or support for a drop in income due to unexpected circumstances (up to a maximum of £500 gifted in vouchers)

To ensure individual monthly benefits, income and tax contributions are unaffected, grants will be issued in the form of electronic vouchers. Depending on the need, successful applicants will have the option to choose from a variety of supermarkets or retailers. For specific services unable to be paid via vouchers (eg unexpected emergency dental work), applicants will be encouraged to purchase vouchers for essential need (i.e. supermarket vouchers for food) to enable household funds to be freed up and redistributed to pay for the unexpected expense. Applications are encouraged from any member of staff who is in genuine financial crisis.

The Trust works with Credit Union to provide staff with 121 money management support and advice. All staff applying for the Crisis Grant Fund will receive a follow up referral to speak with the advisor. In addition support, advice, tips and helplines are available via our Wellbeing Website. The website can be accessed from a Trust or home computer or via your mobile phone web browser.

How to apply

How it works:

• Please read the guidance before completing the application form (for both the one off support and £50 vouchers). For ease please apply via the online form.
• If applying via the paper application form (within the guidance) staff members should complete the application form and submit to:[email protected]
• All applications will be anonymised by the fund administrator and assessed by the fund panel chaired by a Hospital Director (the panel will meet at least twice a month)
• Successful applicants will be issued with e-vouchers and will have a choice of a variety of supermarkets or retailers depending on their application and need

Eligibility

A grant from this fund is available to staff working for University Hospital Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, including colleagues who are predominantly employed via the staff bank. You need to be:

• employed by UHSussex either substantively or on the staff bank, with a minimum of one month’s service and UHSussex is your main source of income and work
• bank worker only: additionally you will need to have undertaken bank work for UHSussex within in the last six months of the date of your application

For any questions please email [email protected].

Mileage allowance temporary uplift

Mileage allowance rate temporary uplift – temporary increase to mileage rate by 5p per mile. This applies to all staff and all mileage rates. This commenced on 1 July 2022 and will be reviewed every three months.

National cost of living support, advice & helplines