Sources of support for people experiencing financial difficulties

Transcription

1 Vale Voluntary Sector Briefing for front line staff only Sources of support for people experiencing financial difficulties Introduction This briefing provides an overview of some organisations which provide support for people who are experiencing financial difficulties. This support can include financial assistance, food, energy, help with transport, second hand furniture and electrical items and welfare benefits advice. It is intended for use by front line staff as a source of reference and for signposting. Sections are separate so that individual sections, as relevant, can be printed and handed out. It is not a comprehensive listing of all organisations which provide support. More details about funding organisations are contained in the Charities Digest which should be available in main libraries. There are also many voluntary, local authority and health services which provide support which are not listed here. The briefing doesn t provide the eligibility criteria or the method of application for all the organisations or services listed. These will be different for each organisation and further information on this should be obtained by contacting the organisation directly. VCVS is unable to guarantee eligibility for support, or success in obtaining support once initial contact or an application has been made. The information in this briefing was up to date at the time of production, but information will change over time and as Welfare Reforms are implemented. Sections: Welfare and Benefits Information Vale of Glamorgan Council information Communities First Discretionary Assistance Fund Cardiff and Vale Credit Union Community Transport Foodbanks, food co-ops and lunch clubs Energy and Utility Schemes (electricity, gas, water) Forces organisations Recycling organisations (eg furniture and electrical items) Miscellaneous organisations providing support Trade Unions and Benevolent Organisations Sources of further information 1

2 Welfare & Benefits information: For specialist welfare and benefits advice, please refer people to the following organisations: Vale Citizens Advice Bureau (includes CAB 4 Cardiff service delivery) - Helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential information and advice, and by influencing policymakers. Telephone , advice@valecab.org.uk or visit or to find out times and locations of drop in services in Cardiff & the Vale. Age Concern Cardiff and the Vale Welfare Rights Service The Welfare Rights Service provides support and advice to older people, over 60, on all aspects of benefit claims. For further information, call the Welfare Rights Team, The Old School, Bwlch Road, Fairwater, Cardiff CF5 3EF, Tel: Riverside Advice Ltd - Provides a holistic welfare rights and debt advice service, from enquiries and signposting to specialist case work and representation. Telephone , barbara.kerridge@riverside-advice.co.uk or visit National Debtline - National Debtline is a national telephone helpline for people with debt problems in England, Wales and Scotland. The service is free, confidential and independent. Tel: The Money Advice Service is aimed at helping people manage money better. Tel: Website: Step Change Debt Charity a free debt management service paid for by the credit industry. Tel: (free from all landlines and mobiles). Monday Friday, 8am 8pm. Saturday, 9am 4pm. Website: Turn 2 Us Grant Search Helps people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits, a variety of charitable grants and other financial help. Telephone or visit Vale of Glamorgan Council information Contact OneVale (C1V) Telephone , C1V@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or visit Council Tax Section or counciltax@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk Benefit Section or benefits@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk Address: Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry, CF63 4RU - visit the Revenue/Benefit Reception in Civic Office Communities First For a range of services and signposting to other services. Telephone Discretionary Assistance Fund Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans for Living Expenses will be abolished and replaced by the Welsh Government Discretionary Assistance Fund. Within the scheme there will be two types of support: Individual Assistance Payments and Emergency Assistance Payments. Both the Individual Assistance Payment and the Emergency Assistance Payment will be grants and are not repayable. Please contact the organisations listed under the Welfare and Benefits section for more information. 2

3 Cardiff and Vale Credit Union Credit Unions aim to help people to take control of their money by encouraging them to save what they can, and borrow only what they can afford to repay. They are community savings and loan cooperatives, where members pool their savings to lend to one another and help to run the credit union. For further information, contact Cardiff and Vale Credit Union, County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff CF10 4UW. Telephone , or visit Community Transport Services Dinas Powys Voluntary Concern - Provides a transport service in particular to the elderly and people with disabilities. Telephone or wendy@dpvc-dinaspowys.com East Vale Community Transport - Provides transport for local organisations, mainly the elderly and disabled in the East Vale area. Telephone or eastvale.ct06@virgin.net Greenlinks - Serving residents of the rural Vale for shopping trips, social visits, day trips or hospital visits. Telephone or greenlinks@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk Hospital Transport Service - Service provides help to certain patients to get to their hospital or clinic appointment. Telephone Voluntary Emergency Service Transport - Provides a comprehensive transport service for those residents of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan who because of age, illness or disability have difficulty using conventional public transport. Telephone , vest@talktalk.net or visit Foodbanks, Food Co-ops and Lunch Clubs Foodbanks Foodbanks provide emergency food aid to individuals and families in short term crisis situations. More information can be found at or call Details of the Cardiff Food Bank are available at Food Co-ops in the Vale There are a number of food co-ops in the Vale (and Cardiff). The food co-ops sell affordable fruit, vegetable and seasonal salad bags on a weekly basis. Run by local volunteers from the community. Bags cost each. For further information please contact Hannah James at Hannah.james@rru.org.uk or telephone or Lunch Clubs in the Vale Lunch Clubs do not provide direct financial assistance, but do provide a meal and an opportunity to socialise. There may be a charge. In the Vale there is the Castaways lunch club in Barry, WRVS in Dinas Powys and Cowbridge, Darby and Joan Club, Communities First and others. These are predominantly for older people. Details of some of the lunch clubs available can be found on or for Cardiff at FareShare Cymru Provides quality food - surplus fit for purpose product from the food and drink industry to organisations working with disadvantaged people in the community. Also, provides training and education around the essential life skills of safe food preparation and nutrition, and warehouse employability training. Charities or other organisations that use food and drink to help people in need can join FareShare Cymru as Community Food Members. There is a charge. Telephone or info@faresharecymru.org.uk or visit: 3

4 Energy and Utility Schemes (electricity, gas, water) Advice Guide - self-help from Citizens Advice Bureau Gas and electricity fact sheets mer_energy_supply_e/consumer_saving_money_on_energy_bills_e/gas_and_electricity_fact_she ets_index.htm If you have special circumstances, you could try to get a grant from an energy charitable trust, to help you pay off your arrears. For more information, visit Schemes booklet from Utility Trusts and Schemes to help vulnerable customers. Information on Trusts and company schemes to help vulnerable customers with water and/or energy debt. NEST energy scheme Nest is a Welsh Government scheme offering free support to help reduce energy bills. Nest can provide everyone with advice on money management, benefit entitlement, fuel tariffs and energy efficiency schemes. For those most vulnerable, Nest can offer a free of charge package of home improvements potentially including a new central heating system, boiler replacement and insulation. Nest can provide the householders living in the hardest to heat properties with a package of no cost home improvements to help make their home warmer. Telephone , advicewales@est.org.uk or visit Energy Saving Trust Gives impartial, accurate and independent advice on how to reduce carbon emission, use water more sustainably and save money on energy bills. Telephone , advicewales@est.org.uk or visit Home Heat Helpline The Home Heat Helpline is a free, independent service offering practical advice on energy bills, including information about grants and entitlement to benefits that are available to help you out. Telephone or visit the Home Heat Helpline website to find out more. British Gas Energy Trust The British Gas Energy Trust helps individuals and families living in fuel poverty or others who are struggling with their gas and/or electricity debts by awarding grants to clear those debts. The aim of the Trust is to give vulnerable individuals a fresh start and enable them to keep free of fuel debts going forward. The Trust also offers help via Further Assistance Payments - grants to clear other essential household debts or costs. In addition, the Trust awards grants to money/ fuel debt advice agencies to increase money advice / debt prevention services available in communities. Anyone seeking help from the Trust must fill in the Trust's application form. Those requiring help to complete the form should contact a local advice agency. In particular the Trust funds 14 organisations across England, Scotland and Wales to help those struggling to clear gas and electricity debts apply to the Trust. Telephone or visit British Gas British Gas can offer to homeowners or tenants of a private landlord in receipt of eligible benefits: loft insulation and loft insulation top up; cavity wall insulation; replacement gas boiler (if the boiler is broken or intermittently breaks down); repair of gas boiler (if the boiler 4

5 is broken or intermittently breaks down); inefficient gas boilers (generally old). This is free for people who qualify on certain benefits. Telephone the freephone number or visit EDF Energy - EDF Energy Trust The EDF Energy Trust is an independent Charitable Trust. The Trust has a particular focus on fuel poverty and helping families and individuals who are struggling to pay for their consumption of gas and electricity. The Trust provides a significant difference to the lives of those in need by awarding grants to clear energy and other household debts and for essential household items. The Trust also funds voluntary sector organisations to provide money and fuel debt services. Telephone or edfet@charisgrants.com or visit E.ON - Caring Energy Fund Assists low-income households with heating and insulation measures and energy efficient appliances. Telephone or visit: NEA National Energy Action (NEA) is a national charity whose work to improve and promote energy efficiency brings social, environmental, housing and employment benefits. Working in partnership with central and local government, fuel utilities, housing providers, consumer groups and voluntary organisations, NEA aims to eradicate fuel poverty and campaigns for greater investment in energy efficiency to help those who are poor and vulnerable. Telephone (Wales NEA) or (National Office) or see link below for a full copy of the guide. NEA provides a range of support such as Budgeting Loans, Crisis Loans and Community Care Grants. Npower There are a range of schemes to assist families and individuals at risk of cold-related illness or where a household member is living with cancer. Assistance can take the form of energy efficiency improvements or grant assistance to pay bills. The Health Through Warmth scheme is not restricted to npower customers. Telephone or visit ScottishPower - ScottishPower Energy People Trust Funding to support voluntary organisations providing advice and support to financially disadvantaged households with priority given to work involving children and young people. Telephone or SPEnergyPeopleTrust@ScottishPower.com Scottish and Southern Energy /SWALEC Offers a range of extra help for vulnerable people. Telephone or visit Welsh Water Assist This helps low income households with large families or medical conditions which means more water is used. Telephone or visit Bill/Welsh-Water-Assist.aspx 5

6 Forces Organisations Confederation of Service Charities A membership organisation made up of Service and ex-service Charities and Organisations, working to promote and further the interests of serving and ex-serving personnel and their dependents. A number of the member groups provide financial assistance/grants for service & exservice personnel and their dependents. See for a full list of these organisations. RAF Association Vale and Barry and Cardiff Provides advice, support and friendship to the ex-raf community and their dependents living in the Vale. Telephone or Geoff@Horton.co.uk RAF Charitable Trust The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust is the youngest of the Royal Air Force Charities having formed in Its aims are to support the Royal Air Force to enhance the environment of serving personnel and their families; and a commitment to young people, to initiate and develop within them an enthusiasm for aviation and consequently generate a desire in them to join the RAF. The Charitable Trust supports a wide range of initiatives and projects which have been for the benefit of serving RAF personnel, RAF veterans and young people. It particularly likes to support projects and welfare facilities that will benefit those preparing for, or serving on front-line deployments, and their families at RAF Stations around the country. Royal British Legion The Royal British Legion can provide support to serving and ex-service people and their dependents who are suffering financially. They are also there for those who need urgent assistance to get through a temporary crisis, such as homelessness, or providing a loan for property repairs. Please contact Legionline on , who will be able to put you in contact with your local welfare representative. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) - Forces Help Provides practical support and advice to military personnel that are currently serving, ex-serving and the families of both. Serving personnel and their families should contact Exserving personnel and their families should contact Recycling organisations (eg furniture and electrical items) British Heart Foundation second hand furniture and electrical stores Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff, CF11 9ND Telephone: Crwys Road, Cardiff, CF24 4NP Telephone: British Red Cross second hand furniture and electrical shops Unit Poundfield, Llantwit Major, South Glamorgan CF61 1XZ. Telephone: Freecycle The Freecycle Network is a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Membership is free. Track 2000 Reuse/Recycle unwanted household and commercial goods and provide support and training to individuals on low income or benefit. Items include beds, settees, wardrobes, washing machines, cookers. Delivery and installation available. They request a donation fee for collection of items. Telephone or visit 6

7 Miscellaneous organisations Age Concern Cardiff & the Vale - George Hill-Snook Charity for the Aged For the benefit of people who are resident in the City and County of Cardiff and who are at least 60 years of age. Grant applications will be welcomed for the purchase or a contribution to the purchase of: essential furniture and personal items such as fridges, washing machines, cookers, some other electrical goods, beds, bedding and essential clothing; household repairs and security fittings; disability aids and minor adaptations and repairs. Telephone or visit British Red Cross Medical Equipment Loan Service - Provides short term loans of medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, for people with a disability or illness. Telephone Care and Repair Cardiff and the Vale Care and Repair do not provide direct financial assistance, but their range of services help older and disabled people to stay in their own homes and live independently in safe conditions. The Rapid Response Adaptation Programme (RRAP) is designed to help older people return to their homes from hospital as well as help to prevent admission or re-admission to hospital by providing a small scale, quick adaptation or repair service that reduces hazards or risks identified within the home environment. Healthy Homes Check - identifying the need for repairs, maintenance, or adaptations to prevent accidents or the worsening of existing health conditions. Financial information - welfare benefit check and information giving, help with applying for grants for identified works to be carried out. Administration - practical help with form filling, or obtaining builders' estimates and coordination of work. Technical Assistance - information about approved contractors, technical surveys and plans. Monitoring - monitoring the quality of repairs and any building work. In the Vale of Glamorgan Tel care&repair@newydd.co.uk In Cardiff Tel Careandrepair@ccha.org.uk Mind in the Vale of Glamorgan Provides a range of services, including benefit advice and signposting to other services. Telephone Macmillan Cymru They provide a range of services including practical, medical and financial support. Telephone RNIB Cymru Provides help with: assessment of entitlement to benefits, form completion, challenging benefit awards or decisions, representation at first tier tribunals, representation to the Upper Tribunal of Welfare Benefits, signposting to other services and support. Telephone Society for the Assistance of Ladies in Reduced Circumstances Assists women domiciled and habitually resident in the United Kingdom who are living alone in their own home (either owned or rented) and in genuine need, irrespective of social status. Assistance is usually given in the form of regular allowances. Telephone , info@salrc.org.uk or visit WRVS have produced a guide which gives general advice on some of the ways you can keep your home maintained and safe to live in. It also provides suggestions on where to go for more information and practical and financial support. Telephone or visit 7

8 Trade Unions and Benevolent Organisations Many Trade Unions and Benevolent Organisations provide support, financial assistance and debt advice for their current members and previous members. Some Unions provide convalescent homes for members or ex members who are in ill health. The support they provide will vary. Please visit their websites for more information. Civil Servants Charity The Charity for Civil Servants supports thousands of people every year, changing lives for the better, and making a massive difference. We gave over 4 million in direct financial support last year. In tough times we know that need is only likely to increase. If you are a civil servant, or work for an Associated Organisation, then you are eligible to apply for help from The Charity for Civil Servants. By our estimation, there are up to 4 million people eligible to apply for help. All current, former and retired civil servants, all employees of our Associated Organisations, and their financial dependents, are welcome to approach us if you have a problem, and need to speak to someone in the strictest confidence. FREEPHONE: (open every working day) Community Union Community is a strong independent union with a long history of representing our members in the good times and the bad. Our roots in the steel communities of South Wales, Scotland and Northern England, the textile towns of the Midlands and Blind and Disabled workers from across Britain have produced a modern, forward-looking Trade Union which is well equipped to meet the demands of the 21st century. Services include a bereavement fund, benevolent fund and convalescent benefit. FREEPHONE GMB GMB has members in every part of the UK economy doing every type of job imaginable. GMB members are men and women, young and old or even retired, working full and part time, and are made up of a wide and diverse cross section of Britain's society. They offer a range of service to current and previous members including debt advice and convalescent support, but do not offer direct financial assistance. Telephone for regional office Mineworkers Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation CISWO is a National Charity which has a focus on the key role of delivering community and personal welfare services within mining and former mining communities. They provide a range of services for ex mineworkers and their families including benefits advice, financial grants, grants for medical equipment and breaks in a hotel. Social Workers will undertake a home visit to ascertain eligibility. NB: the NUM are unable to provide financial assistance. Woodland Terrace, Maesycoed, Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan, CF37 1DZ. Telephone or visit Nursing Royal College of Nursing - Welfare Rights and Guidance is one of the services available to members through RCN Member Support Services. This includes state benefits, tax credits and pensions (not financial or investment advice); ill-health and disability, including ill health retirement; disability discrimination; debt advice; charitable funding; housing problems. Contact the Welfare Rights and Guidance team via the RCN Member Support Services helpline, available between 9.30am pm weekdays. Telephone: , mss@rcn.org.uk or visit 8

9 Post Office Rowland Hill Memorial and Benevolent Fund The charity provides support to Royal Mail Group Ltd staff, pensioners and dependents suffering hardship as a result of poverty, age or infirmity. Telephone , rowland_hill_fund@royalmail.com or visit Public and Commercial Services Union The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) is one of the largest trade unions in the UK, with around 270,000 members, organised throughout the civil service and government agencies. Each year, the national executive committee sets aside money in a Benevolent Fund to be spent to help members facing financial hardship through sickness, family troubles and many other problems. Applications on the official form are reviewed weekly and monitored by the NEC. Grants can be given on a one-off basis. We do not give loans and the amount is limited to a maximum of 500. For further information please contact the benevolent fund secretary on , option 3. Retail Trust The charity looks after the needs of all three million people working in retail and retired retail employees. It offers a range of services including free counselling, free legal advice, free debt advice, free hardship grants, free course funding and retirement housing throughout the UK. Telephone , helpline@retailtrust.org.uk or visit Text (Only for UK. Standard network rates apply) Teaching Unions: ATL is the union for education professionals across the UK, active in the maintained, independent and post-16 sectors. The ATL Trust Fund Ltd is a charitable fund formed to give confidential support and financial assistance. It is there to assist members in times of illness or hardship. The Trust Fund can provide assistance to current members, former members and their dependants. This includes members of AMiE who qualify because they are associate members of ATL. The Trust Fund has assisted members by providing grants towards: nursing care costs and respite care, costs towards wheelchairs, chairlifts and stair lifts, funeral expenses, general living expenses arising through illness, loss of employment and relationship breakdowns, costs of journeys to hospital, short holiday breaks for recovery or recuperation, clothing grants for members' dependents. Should you have any queries regarding the ATL Trust Fund please telephone or visit The NASUWT is the largest teachers' union in the UK and the only TUC-affiliated teachers union to represent teachers in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The NASUWT Benevolent Fund is available to members, former members and the dependants of members and former members and dependants of deceased members, provided a subscription has been paid to the Union. The NASUWT Benevolent Fund was created to provide effective short-term assistance during such difficulties. To make an application for benevolence assistance, contact your Local Association Secretary. In the alternative, you can contact the Legal and Casework Team at NASUWT Headquarters, Hillscourt Education Centre, Rose Hill, Rednal, Birmingham, B45 8RS. Call between 8.30am and 5.30pm on weekdays or legalandcasework@mail.nasuwt.org.uk Arrangements will be made for a Benevolence Visitor to visit you to complete the application form on your behalf. National Union of Teachers. They do not provide financial assistance, but refer current and ex members to Teachers Support Cymru. 9

10 Teachers Support Cymru They help teachers including current and retired. They provide money advice, counselling and financial grants for emergencies. Telephone: (Wales), open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls free from landlines. Wales Regional Office Direct Tel: Transport Benevolent Fund To relieve need, hardship or distress among those engaged in the public transport industry within Great Britain (or who have been so engaged), along with their dependents. The Transport Benevolent Fund is a membership charity and most benefits are restricted to those who contribute to it. (NB members can include those who are retired, but who have been members for 5 years prior to retirement). Telephone help@tbf.org.uk or visit TUC The Trades Union Congress brings Britain s unions together to draw up common policies. 54 Unions are members of the TUC. Telephone or visit Unison If you are struggling through an unexpected crisis, or if the pressures of everyday life are getting to you, There for You can help. We offer a unique confidential advice and support service just for members and retired members of UNISON and their dependents. This includes: Financial assistance, Debt advice, Wellbeing breaks, Support and information. Telephone or visit Unite The Unite the Union Benevolent Fund is the benevolent fund for Unite the Union members, retired members and their immediate dependents. Telephone , applications@unitebf.org or visit Sources of further information The Charities Digest can be found in most main libraries. This is a comprehensive list of organisations providing a range of support. Vale Centre for Voluntary Services Telephone or visit Cardiff Third Sector Council Telephone or visit Cardiff and Vale Action for Mental Health Directory of Mental health Services in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. Telephone or visit: For further information contact: Linda Pritchard, Health and Social Care Facilitator, Vale Centre for Voluntary Services Tel: linda@valecvs.org.uk Revised 12 th July