--- title: "East Sussex Welfare Benefits Service NHS/SOEPS/21.823 RFI" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-02edb5" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-02edb5" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02edb5.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02edb5.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "NHS EAST SUSSEX CCG" published: "2021-10-19" --- # East Sussex Welfare Benefits Service NHS/SOEPS/21.823 RFI Buyer: NHS EAST SUSSEX CCG Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-02edb5 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-02edb5) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02edb5.json) ## Summary The NHS East Sussex CCG is currently in the planning stage of the procurement process for the East Sussex Welfare Benefits Service, designated as NHS/SOEPS/21.823 RFI. This initiative is part of the services sector, specifically focusing on health and social work services, and is set to be located across East Sussex. The contract is anticipated to be tendered for a duration of 3 to 4 years, commencing on 1st October 2022, with an option for extension. Interested parties are invited to complete a Request for Information (RFI) form by 5 pm on Friday, 5th November 2021, as the commissioners seek to gather market insights that will inform the service specifications for this contract, valued at £2 million. This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in welfare benefits advice and consultancy services, particularly those with expertise in financial management, mental health support, and debt counselling. As demand for these services is likely to grow due to recent increases in benefit claims and changing economic conditions, providers who can effectively demonstrate their capability to deliver comprehensive and compassionate support to individuals in financial distress will be well-positioned to compete for this contract. The insights gained during the RFI process will also help shape the future tender, potentially favouring those who engage with the commissioners early on. ## 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. ### Lot Information Lot 1 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: Key Aims and Objectives The Welfare Benefits Service is commissioned to provide the following for East Sussex residents: * To reduce the burden of individual and household financial insecurity and the negative consequences for them, their communities, and the county * To help people access the benefits they are entitled to and challenge unjust decisions where they have occurred. * To help those in need to manage their finances, avoid further debt and 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 and advice * To help promote and protect mental health and wellbeing particularly for those with lower socio-economic status In addition to delivery of the above, overall project management is commissioned to provide: * Service development, communications and briefings * Financial and budgetary control and reporting * Management information reporting * Services that raise awareness of the project and available benefits * Services that strengthen the relationship with health and social care professionals Supporting Information The pandemic has led to a huge increase in the number of people claiming benefits, as incomes have fallen, and people were unable to, or restricted in their, work because their workplaces have been closed or they have been isolating, shielding, or living with someone vulnerable and so unable to work. While some people continued to draw some salary because they were covered by one of the Government's income support schemes, many made claims for benefits. A sample of the headline data from last financial year from the existing service in East Sussex has identified the following: PS 4,239,215 annualised benefit income realised for residents 8,147 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 had long term health conditions 82% of casework clients lived in the most deprived wards 87% of casework clients had long term health conditions Unprecedented numbers of people are claiming benefits, and this is likely to increase: * Private tenant evictions for rent arrears have recommenced. * PS20 addition to UC ended on 30 September 2021. * The total debt allowable in a Debt Relief Order (DRO) goes up from PS20,000 to PS30,000. This will make more people eligible for a DRO and therefore increase demand. Only an approved DRO intermediary can action a DRO and there is a 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 their debts for 60 days allowing time to explore their options. These need to be accessed through an accredited, registered, specialist debt adviser. * The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) has closed. Concern is that some people were not aware of the need to apply and could have their right to work, claim benefits or rent accommodation removed. It will be possible for some people to make a late application in certain circumstances, such as domestic abuse or lack of capacity which have prevented them from applying previously. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026184-2021 | | Notice type | Planning Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 19 Oct 2021 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 1 Jan 2022 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £2,000,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planned | | Lots status | Planned | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | NHS EAST SUSSEX CCG | | 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 | TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 85000000 - Health and social work services ## Release History - 19 Oct 2021 at 17:13 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026184-2021 ## Notice URLs - http://www.eastsussexccg.nhs.uk - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/soepscommissioning/aspx/Home ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-02edb5. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02edb5.json.