--- title: "East Sussex Welfare Benefits Service NHS/SOEPS/21.823 RFI" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-e4606231-f138-4eed-a47b-9656286981ba" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-e4606231-f138-4eed-a47b-9656286981ba" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e4606231-f138-4eed-a47b-9656286981ba.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e4606231-f138-4eed-a47b-9656286981ba.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "NHS SOUTH OF ENGLAND PROCUREMENT SERVICES" published: "2021-10-21" --- # East Sussex Welfare Benefits Service NHS/SOEPS/21.823 RFI Buyer: NHS SOUTH OF ENGLAND PROCUREMENT SERVICES Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-e4606231-f138-4eed-a47b-9656286981ba [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-e4606231-f138-4eed-a47b-9656286981ba) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e4606231-f138-4eed-a47b-9656286981ba.json) ## Summary The procurement process for the East Sussex Welfare Benefits Service is currently in the planning stage, initiated by NHS South of England Procurement Services. This tender, titled "East Sussex Welfare Benefits Service NHS/SOEPS/21.823 RFI," is classified under the health and social work services category. The engagement end date for supplier responses is set for 5th November 2021. The service aims to provide vital support to residents facing financial insecurity, with a contract expected to start on 1st October 2022, lasting three to four years, with potential extensions of up to two additional years. This tender presents significant opportunities for companies involved in welfare and benefits advice, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs). Businesses that demonstrate expertise in delivering welfare benefits services, financial advice, and debt management, especially those with experience in serving vulnerable populations, would be well-suited to compete. The increasing demand for these services, exacerbated by the economic challenges arising from the pandemic, offers potential for growth in this sector, making it a timely opportunity for interested organisations. ## Notice East Sussex CCG is reprocuring the East Sussex Welfare Benefits Service . The contract for this service was originally set up by East Sussex County Council in 2013 to deliver a welfare reform phone helpline. The service was then developed further to offer specialist welfare benefits advice. This current service delivery model and contract have been in place since April 2016. The NHS contract ending on the 30th of September 2022 has had the service specification updated. The current contract arrangement has a contract arrangement with a single provider who sub-contract to three advice sector partners to deliver the service. It is anticipated that the service would be offered for tender under a standard NHS contract for a period of 3 or 4 years commencing on the 1st October 2022 with option to extend for a maximum of a further one or two years. The purpose of this RFI is to gauge market interest and feedback via the RFI response form for the provision of the East Sussex Welfare Benefits Service and provide the CCGs with valuable information to help update and improve the current service specification. If you would like to discuss any aspects of the requirements, please send a portal message suggesting a date/time for a telephone conversation Please return the questionnaire as fully as you can via the e-tendering portal by 5pm Friday 5th November 2021. Additional information: The Welfare Benefits Service is commissioned to provide the following: * To reduce the burden of individual & household financial insecurity & the negative consequences for them, their communities, & the county * To help people access benefits they are entitled to & challenge unjust decisions where they have occurred. * To help those in need to manage their finances, avoid further debt & find a route out of unmanageable debt * To ensure that those who are likely to be most impacted by financial insecurity have access to specialist case work & advice * To help promote & protect mental health & wellbeing particularly for those with lower socio-economic status In addition to delivery of above, overall project management is commissioned to provide: * Service development, communications & briefings * Financial & budgetary control & reporting * Management information reporting * Services that raise awareness of project & available benefits * Services that strengthen relationships with health and social care professionals The pandemic has led to a huge increase in number of people claiming benefits, as incomes have fallen, & people were unable to, or restricted in their, work because workplaces have been closed, they have been isolating, shielding, or living with someone vulnerable and unable to work. While some continued to draw some salary because they were covered by the Government's income support schemes, many claimed benefits. A sample of the headline data from last financial year from the existing service in East Sussex identified: PS4,239,215 annualised benefit income realised for residents 8147 people received benefits advice 77% of respondents reported improved mental wellbeing 14,115 household members benefitted from benefits and debt advice 60% of callers to the helpline lived in the most deprived wards 79% of callers and 87% of clients had long term health conditions 82% of clients lived in the most deprived wards Unprecedented numbers of people are claiming benefits, & this is likely to increase: * Private tenant evictions for rent arrears have recommenced. * PS20 addition to UC ended on 30/9/21. * The total debt allowable in a Debt Relief Order DRO goes up from PS20k to PS30k. This will make more people eligible for a DRO & therefore increase demand. Only an approved DRO intermediary can action a DRO & there is limited supply of accredited, registered, specialist advice in East Sussex. * Mental Health Breathing Space came into place from the beginning of May. People experiencing mental health difficulties can request a breathing space which pauses debts for 60 days allowing time to explore options. These need to be accessed through an accredited, registered, specialist debt adviser. * EU Settlement Scheme EUSS has closed. Some people were not aware of the need to apply & could have their right to work, claim benefits or rent accommodation removed. It will be possible to make a late application in some circumstances, ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9b40bdf7-677e-4ff7-a542-20dad601a0b4 | | Notice type | Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 21 Oct 2021 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 5 Nov 2021 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | NHS SOUTH OF ENGLAND PROCUREMENT SERVICES | | Locality | LEWES | | Post town | Brighton | | Postcode | BN7 2FZ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex | | ITL 3 | TLJ22 East Sussex CC | | Local authority | Lewes | | Electoral ward | Lewes Bridge | | Westminster constituency | Lewes | | Delivery location | TLJ South East (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 85000000 - Health and social work services ## Release History - 21 Oct 2021 at 18:27 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9b40bdf7-677e-4ff7-a542-20dad601a0b4 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9b40bdf7-677e-4ff7-a542-20dad601a0b4 21st October 2021 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/soepscommissioning/aspx/Home e-tendering portal ## Notice URLs - http://www.eastsussexccg.nhs.uk ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. 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