Framework This Hardship Fund aims to support those University of Warwick workers who have been propelled into severe financial hardship during the COVID-19 crisis. Agency workers, including Unitemps, who have not been furloughed or who are affected by the 20% income cut, STPs who have had hours cancelled, those who would usually depend on additional precarious contracts in term 3, and those whose contracts have come or are coming to an end during this time without the prospect of extensions/renewals/ alternative employment.

We recognise the need for immediate relief and the impossibility to wait for an institutional or government response while the pantries are empty and the rent cannot be paid. Therefore, we are setting up this campaign to provide immediate and hassle-free relief and mutual aid.

Eligibility This fund will be available to workers at Warwick University, or those who worked for Warwick Uni and lost their job due to the crisis. You may be or may have been: on Unitemps contracts, on STP, on fixed-term contracts, contracted by Warwick through an external agency to provide services to the University.

We will prioritise by circumstances with the aim of supporting as many people as meaningfully as we possibly can.

Union membership You do not have to be a member of UCU, Unite, UNISON, WAC or any other union to apply for this hardship fund. However, we strongly recommend that you join a union and join the struggle for fair and sustainable employment environments. The Unions recognised by Warwick University are: · Unite the Union (Unite) · UNISON · University and College Union (UCU)

Application process We will require minimal evidence for the application process, such as a narrative and ‘back of envelope maths’ as to what you have lost or what you need to cover the basics. We do not need to see your bank statements, but you could add a payslip or an email from HR, agency, or Head of Department that states that you have lost work/hours. We do need proofto see that you are/were employed by Warwick, such as; your ID number, full name, or an email with contract details suffice.

We will make an online form (Google Form) available that you can fill in with application details. We are aiming to open the application process around the May payday (24 May) and will be able to make payments by early June 2020 for the first round. If we have additional funds from the fundraiser, we will run further application rounds. If you know someone who would be eligible for the Hardship Fund but does not have internet/computer access to fill in the form, please email us at [email protected] and we will work to support without the form.

The data required to make a financial transaction that you submit via the Google Form will then be transferred to the platform on Open Collective. The Fiscal Host "The Social Change Agency" will receive your data to process the transaction and make payments.

Our declared aim is to provide support and relief to those most affected by this crisis and will work to approve rather than disprove applications.

Universal Credit recipients Some may receive Universal Credit (UC) but still struggle financially. We need to be cautious because payments from the Hardship Fund may affect your UC eligibility. If you or someone you know is receiving UC and still struggling to make ends meet, we are open to discuss ‘in kind’ payments. Please contact us at [email protected].

Payments We aim to open the first round of applications around the May payday (24 May) and make first payments in early June. We are hoping to be able to give £200 per applicant. However, if we are short of funds we will prioritise based on need.

We want to encourage those who need more to speak to us about their needs, and we encourage those who could make do with less to let us know that as well. We want to meaningfully support as many people as we possibly can and are open to discuss your individual circumstances.

Privacy Being affected by hardship can be a humiliating experience, on top of all the worries this comes with. We promise your data and any information pertaining to your person will not go beyond the administrators of this hardship fund.

FAQ

How do I get paid from a Collective?

Submit an expense and provide your payment information.

How are expenses approved?

Collective admins are notified when an expense is submitted, and they can approve or reject it.

Is my private data made public?

No. Only the expense amount and description are public. Attachments, payment info, emails and addresses are only visible to you and the admins.

When will I get paid?

Payments are processed by the Collective's Fiscal Host, the organization that hold funds on their behalf. Many Fiscal Hosts pay expenses weekly, but each one is different.

Why do you need my legal name?

The display name is public and the legal name is private, appearing on receipts, invoices, and other official documentation used for tax and accounting purposes.

More info →

Collective balance

£1,100.52 GBP

Fiscal Host:

The Social Change Nest