Government, County and District Help
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT.
Update 16 Nov 2023
The Nottinghamshire County Council £120 hardship payment scheme has closed.
Update 4 Nov 2023.
If you, or someone you support during a flood, suffered flooding on 20 October, there is news from NSDC about the financial support available. Please do take a look – and please and spread the word to those not on line 
[https://www.newark-
Update 1 Nov 2023. Having previously announced (link below) that flooded households in affected areas can apply for up to £500 to give cash quickly to help with immediate costs, it has been confirmed that Newark & Sherwood District Council will manage the payment – they will have a form on their website this week, if not by Monday latest. People without Internet can call NSDC and customer service will complete the form with them.
The Government has also announced that Eligible flood-hit property owners will be able to apply for up to £5,000 to help make their homes and businesses more resilient to future flooding via the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant Scheme.
Details of the 25/10/23 announcement of both schemes are on this link ( https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-support-for-flood-hit-areas ). As we get details we will let you know, in prior floods this support was provide through the District Council.
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL had a £120 hardship payment scheme ( https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/planning-and-environment/flooding-help-and-advice/nottinghamshire-floods-hardship-fund ). This was closed on or before 16 Nov 2023. They had a similar scheme in 2020.
NEWARK & SHERWOOD DISTRICT COUNCIL – Council Tax: (Updated info 25-10-23). Email council.tax@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk confirming your name & address, billing number, whether you have move out of the property and any additional info you thin may be relevant. They will then be able to make a decision. In 2020 there was council tax relief for a period if you’d moved out.
NEWARK & SHERWOOD DISTRICT COUNCIL – Grants. in previous years there has been a grant of up to £5000 to improve flood protection on a per property basis – so if a property has previously received the grant then that property was not eligible for further grant. This is a UK Government scheme which the District administer. As soon as the District have any information they will let us know. LATEST article 25 Oct 2023 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-support-for-flood-hit-areas
Cancelling Utilities / Help from local councils
It is possible to cancel your utilities if you are not able to live in our home because it is flooded and you have to move out. We thought we might share a list of contacts we’ve been in touch with as well as their numbers/ emails and relevant department you are likely to need. Hope this helps some of you.
Gas / Electric – you will need your account number to hand
EON: telephone: 0808 5015200.
OCTOPUS: telephone 0808 164 1088
SKY: telephone: 0333 7595112 – don’t be concerned if this takes you to the complaint line, they handle flood victims on that member too. Sky have introduced a ‘Flooded’ approach/package (as of 23/10/23) whereby if you move out because of flooding and don’t transfer your subscription to a new property they will give you 2 months credit as a start. This saves you having to cancel your contract (which might trigger needing to return equipment) as well as losing any loyalty (for what it might be worth). If you move to temporary accommodation though you’ll want to re-instate your Sky package.
SEVERN TRENT WATER: 0345 7500500: ask to speak to billing. They will look to turn your water off though – so if you might use the property or have builders who need water / sewerage this may not be best approach.
TV LICENCE. Call 0300 7906096 to explain you’ve been flooded and moved out of property into another that already has a TVLicence. Ask them to suspend the licence while you’re out the property and call them when you’re back in. If you just suspend the Direct Debit then this does not stop your liability to pay the licence.
By contacting these companies one household has saved itself over £700 per month for at least 3 months. Everyone they spoke to was very sorry for their circumstances and are happy to extend the period of time that the accounts are suspended if they were out of our property for longer.
If you have any more details please continue to email us at lowdhamflag@gmail.com
Initial source : Jon Lane