Extra help for those struggling with welfare changes.

Wirral residents who are struggling to cope with the impact of welfare reforms on their personal circumstances will soon be able to benefit from additional help and support.

Wirral Council has agreed a one-year contract with the local Citizens Advice Bureau to deliver a package of free welfare advice, information and advocacy for Wirral residents who are specifically affected by welfare reforms.

Sheffield Hallam University’s Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research identified Wirral as being one of the areas worst affected by the reforms by 2014-15. Out of a total of 379 districts, researchers ranked Wirral 27th in the top 50 districts worst affected with an estimated loss per year of £127m and a financial loss per working age adult per year of £636, against the national average of £470 per year.

Against this backdrop, Wirral Council’s ruling Cabinet approved an investment of £120,000 to provide an additional, dedicated welfare advice and advocacy service, available right across the borough, to try to help the increasing number of people who are struggling to come to terms with all the changes and are suffering greater hardship as a result of welfare reform.

After a competitive tender process, Wirral Citizens Advice Bureau – in partnership with Wired - was awarded the contract to deliver this programme from January 2014.

Philip Howley, Chairman of the Trustees of Wirral CAB, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for the CAB to provide timely and much needed advice to local residents, on behalf of the Council, and in partnership with Wired. A lot of evidence points to the confusion which is being caused by the changes to welfare reform system, and I believe that this work will help our clients to better understand the changes and the impact on them and prevent many from falling into a crisis situation.”

Cllr Phil Davies, Leader of Wirral Council, added: “We are committed to doing whatever we can to help local people deal with the changes that have been inflicted upon them. Wirral CAB and Wired, through their teams of experienced staff and volunteers, are well-placed to deliver this service on our behalf quickly and effectively and I’d urge anyone who is struggling to get in touch.”

Wirral CAB plan to recruit a team of two advisers and one advocate, supported by an administration worker, to provide advice, information and advocacy on aspects of welfare reform changes, up to the stage of appeal and tribunal.

One of the reasons why Wirral CAB were successful in winning the contract is that they are already capable of dealing with a high volume of enquiries through their gateway assessment interview, delivered by volunteers, which can quickly assess impact of welfare reform on individuals.

This assessment takes into account changes to welfare benefits, including debt, personal finances, legal issues, issues connected with mental health and disability and employment. The service will provide assisted information/self help; signposting and referral to other relevant agencies together with casework and representation.

At any time throughout the process, people may also be referred to Wirral Wired for complementary services to support clients with things like professional advocacy, money management and employment support.

This full service will launch in the next few weeks. If you require assistance urgently, you can call 0844 772121 or drop into any Council One Stop Shop or Citizens Advice Bureau office.

Source Click Me

Presumeably they will be told to prioritise - with Flat screen TVs, Ciggies and beer last on the list? Sorry forgot about the dog, that should of course come higher than the TV screen as it needs to be fed.
What about: Top items on the list of priorities
1: Pay the rent
2. pay the Council tax (if applicable)
3. Feed the children
4. Pay to heat and light the house
5. House maintenance (paint and gardening)
6. House and contents insurance

Thats correct,But if you not got children in the house share thefood with the dog haha.I think if your on the welfare your entitled to vouchers to cover the vet bills. so might get exempt as usuall

As somebody who was unemployed recently, I wondered how, with just over £70, I was supposed to..
1. Contribute to the Council Tax
2. Heat my flat.
3. Power my flat.
4. Pay for water for my flat.
5. Feed myself.
6. Clothe myself.
7. Pay for stamps for applying for jobs.
8. Travel to interviews.

If anyone can advise how to do that (please note I did not include any leisure activities such as having a television or even replacing any household items that had ceased to function), then answers on a postcard please.

Take no notice of those that are quick to condemn, they believe everything they are told by the nasty party, they are more to be pitied because they have no humanity nor empathy toward those less fortunate, they come from a dog eat dog world where money is the god, Their masters make jokes about being imprisoned for wrecking restaurants( somebody's livelihood) carried out whilst they were drunk, that is the utter contempt they hold us in, even if you were daft enough to believe in their politics, as human beings they lack the basic substance of humanity.

Where is the condemnation?
Who is the nasty party? never heard of them but an illusion to Labour approximates!
Do not generalise about those with whom you fail to agree.

In conclusion I cannot feel any association with those who are meant to suffer from your rant, I just don't think they exist and are in fact a figment of your imagination.

I don't know how old you are but when you leave the comfort of your home you take it upon yourself to look after yourself.
If you are going to have problems heating, lighting and paying for council services and water, then do not leave home. Job seekers allowance is not intended as an alternative to wages, it is a stop-gap to help you for a week or two until you find alternative employment.

Sorry Nem.

Just to clarify, I am in my 40s. I have worked relatively constantly in administrative jobs (not terribly well paid but enough to live on).

Having lived in my own flat for 15 years, I felt that going home to my pensioner mother's house was not an option (especially as she did not have a spare bedroom).

Luckily it was only a few months before I managed to find work again. In that time though, my living conditions were extremely poor.

I was also handicapped in my search for work as I simply could not afford to do several things (such as buy clothes suitable for interview).

The irony of the issue was that I was put on the work programme shortly before I actually found work.

The company (who did not help me find work in any way) who ran the work programme have since been given £2000 of your money for doing nothing!

Oh dear, it seems I have touched on a raw spot, I know its an illusion of yours that its the Labour party, but I was alluding to the Tories, you appear to think I was referring to your post, oh well if the cap fits and all that.

No illusion, the description does not fit with the Tories. Just look at the vast strides the government is taking us into wealth again despite the (For your benefit the nasty Lib-Dems). Jobless figures are down, the Labour debts is down, businesses are growing (see figures for last 6 months) despite Ed Balls(up) banging on about flat lining, We can now afford for the Minimum wage to be increased, need I go on about the successes this government is making for our country. Only one failing - continuing to ignore the public demand for a referendum on the EU just like the Labour and Lib-Dems are ignoring it too.

I must go to specsavers as I can only see the 'wealth' going in one direction - to line the pockets of those who already have the most money.

Money does and quite rightly should go to those who work hard, create jobs and save for their futures. Perhaps you are right, that visit to Specsavers is overdue.

I apologise for drifting off topic

Do you live in the real world?
click
and
click

In too many countries economic growth already amounts to little more than a 'winner takes all' windfall for the richest."

But who actually creates the wealth? money and business acumen are only a part of wealth creation, without a workforce it amounts to nothing, so where does the deserve come into it? don't we all deserve a decent standard of living as creators.

I didn't start my business and risk ,loads of money without the wish to make some money. Nobody ever starts a business with a wish to lose money, so those who risk it either make money or lose it. Those who make money provide jobs for others at least in the real world that you ask about, that is what happens.
If businesses fail so too do the jobs of the workforce.

Now please think again and see who lives in the real world my friend.

If you think business people start businesses solely for the benefit of the workforce, why don't a few of you get together and start a co-operative. See if the communist system works or not. You can all buy nice cars with the profits and pay yourselves massive salaries, see how long it lasts before you go bust.

The intention for the post was to offer to support to those who were in difficulties with the changes in the benefit system.

If i was to become unemployed now I would benefit from such advice making sure i was entitles to the same as the person two doors away.

if your not happy about the council spending / investing in such a scheme then take it up with them.

Topic : Extra help for those struggling with welfare changes.

Its not meant to be a slant on the Unemployed or a judgement topic, its about how to finding the right help and advice.

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casper
Although I totally agree with a lot you have said, can we get back on topic
help for those struggling with welfare changes.
Does anybody have advice on what to do and what to claim for if somebody unfortunately comes out of work.
Please no snotty remarks to answers or person trying to advise

I would advise anybody coming out of work to make an immediate claim through one stop shop. Follow this up with a meeting with an independent welfare benefits advisor.
In addition to the food banks there are many charities on Wirral who will help.For help from one such organisation please email James McGrillen at [email protected]. There are others such as Wirral Change for Black and other minority groups.
People in debt can contact Christians against poverty for practical help and support.
Main thing is not to despair there is help out there.

Sorry Derek, didn't intend to hi jack just get wound up by some on here.

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