Equality Impact Assessment (EIA)
WM7015 Welfare Assistance Application Scheme
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Overview
This Equality Impact Assessment sets out how the WM7015 Welfare Assistance Scheme supports members fairly, consistently, and without discrimination. The scheme provides short‑term assistance to members experiencing misfortune — defined as an unforeseen or adverse circumstance causing significant hardship, loss, distress, or financial difficulty. The assessment ensures the scheme aligns with Unite rules, equality legislation, and good practice standards.
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Purpose of the Scheme
The Welfare Assistance Scheme offers limited, discretionary financial support to stabilise essential needs such as food, utilities, travel, and emergency costs. It also ensures members are signposted to appropriate welfare rights and debt‑advice services before any award is made. The maximum award is £150, with eligibility based on membership length, financial circumstances, and evidence of hardship.
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Why an EIA is Required
Although Unite is not a public authority, the branch operates within a local‑government employment environment and follows NJC equality standards. Assessing equality impact ensures the scheme is applied fairly, avoids unintended discrimination, and supports transparency and accountability. The EIA also demonstrates that equality considerations have been given due regard in line with best practice.
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Assessment Scope
The EIA covers the eligibility criteria, application process, evidence requirements, decision‑making, monitoring arrangements, and the review/appeal process. It considers the potential impact on protected characteristics including age, disability, sex, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, and marriage or civil partnership. It also considers factors relevant to union membership such as part‑time work, low income, caring responsibilities, and gender‑dominated occupational groups.
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Evidence and Data​
The assessment draws on the published scheme, branch equality monitoring returns, typical workforce demographics in Sandwell Local Authority, and known patterns of hardship among low‑income and part‑time workers. The scheme already includes an equality monitoring form and periodic anonymised reviews to ensure fairness. As stated on the webpage, “The branch may periodically review anonymised welfare decisions to ensure the scheme is being applied consistently and fairly.”
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Impact Summary
The scheme has a broadly positive equality impact. It supports members who are statistically more likely to experience financial emergencies, including women, disabled members, part‑time workers, carers, and members facing sudden family or health‑related crises. No unlawful discrimination has been identified.
The membership‑length requirement and savings threshold could create indirect disadvantage for some groups, but these criteria are objectively justified and applied with discretion. The scheme already recognises ring‑fenced savings such as funeral funds, disability‑related adaptation funds, and money held for children, ensuring these do not unfairly affect eligibility.
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Protected Characteristic Analysis
The scheme is neutral or positive across all protected characteristics. Disabled members may face challenges providing evidence, but the scheme explicitly states that lack of documentation will not automatically result in refusal. Pregnancy‑related emergencies, disability‑related costs, and caring responsibilities are recognised as legitimate forms of misfortune. Gender‑dominated roles and part‑time workers, who are more likely to experience financial pressure, benefit from the scheme’s focus on emergency hardship.
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Decision‑Making and Safeguards
Applications are considered by at least two authorised branch officers. Any officer with a personal, family, workplace, or other significant connection to an applicant plays no part in the decision. This protects against bias and ensures decisions are made fairly and consistently. The scheme includes a review/appeal process for members who believe their application has not been assessed correctly.
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Monitoring and Review
Equality monitoring is built into the scheme. The branch reviews anonymised decisions to identify patterns, ensure consistency, and address any emerging equality concerns. The scheme will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains fair, proportionate, and aligned with Unite rules and equality standards.
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Conclusion
The WM7015 Welfare Assistance Scheme is fair, proportionate, and equality‑compliant. It provides positive support to members experiencing misfortune and includes strong safeguards to ensure decisions are consistent and non‑discriminatory.
The scheme is suitable for publication and meets the branch’s commitment to transparency, fairness, and equality.