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Welfare Reform & Benefit Changes
Briefing
Knowsley
February 2013
SUPPORT FOR RESIDENTS
Contact details
Kate Fisher Financial Inclusion Manager Knowsley Council
: 0151 443 4779
: http:// www.knowsley.gov.uk/residents/financial-advice.aspx
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Type of help / support available
Services Page
Emergency Food Packages
Knowsley Foodbank
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Credit Union services Enterprise Credit Union Knowsley Mutual Credit Union Halewood Community Credit Union Southdene Credit Union Merseymoney website
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Advocacy Knowsley Advocacy Hub
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Older People Age UK Knowsley Older People’s Voice (KOPV) KPAIS
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Free face to face debt advice
Saints Community Debt Advice KUC Centre 63 Knowsley CAB MABS Jubilee Debt Advice
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Free telephone or online debt advice
National Debt Line Pay Plan CCCS Debt Advice Foundation
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Claiming welfare benefits / entitlement
Villages KUC Prescot & Whiston Community Advice Centre Huyton Advice Centre Knowsley CAB Centre 63 Knowsley Council Welfare Benefit Visitors KHT Visitors Villages – TESS Villages Income Management Team
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Victims of Loan Sharks Shop A Shark
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Money Advice Money Advice Service
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Type of help / support available
Emergency Food
Services
Knowsley Foodbank What is it? Emergency food for people in need. Provides food for 3 days. Vouchers are held by a number of organisations across the borough. If your organisation holds vouchers, you can issue a voucher to be redeemed by the resident at one of 6 distribution centres. Who can access it? Anyone in need can access the service & receive a maximum of 3 vouchers / food packages. Referral through agency? Yes, referral only How do people receive the food? There are 6 distribution centres across the borough where vouchers can be exchanged, operating Mon - Fri –
Monday (11am – 2pm) Apostolic Church, 433 Liverpool Rd, Huyton, L36 8HZ
Tuesday (11am – 2.30pm) Centre 63, Old Hall Lane, Kirkby, L32 5TH
Wednesday – (11.30 – 2) St Jude’s Church, Roundhey, Stockbridge Village, L28 1RQ
Thursday (11am – 2.30pm) St Mark’s Church, Deycroft Av, Kirkby, L33 9TE
Friday (11am – 2pm) Huyton Parish Church, Blue Bell Lane, Huyton, L36 7SA
Saturday (11.30am – 2pm) St Mary’s Church, Hillingden Avenue, Halewood, L26 9TZ
Contact details
Knowsley Foodbank Manager – Jackie Bicknell Tel – 0151 546 0470 Email – [email protected]
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Type of help / support available
Credit Union services – savings, savings based lending and (in some circumstances) instant loans
Details
There are 4 Knowsley based credit unions
Knowsley Mutual Credit Union
Enterprise Credit Union
Southdene Credit Union
Halewood Credit Union What is it? Credit unions are financial cooperatives offering a range of savings accounts to the community. Many now offer affordable credit (including instant loans) at low rates of interest and insurance products. Some credit unions also offer a ‘white goods’ scheme where a new washing machine etc can be purchased through the credit union, with the loan repaid to the credit union at a low rate and a ‘pre-paid card’. Contact Knowsley Mutual and Enterprise for information on loans. Enterprise also offer the MABS (Money Advice Budgeting Service) to members – see ‘free face to face debt advice’ for details Who can access it? Anyone can join the credit union – Enterprise and Knowsley Mutual offer loans to savers and instant loans (where no savings are required). How? Once a member, you can apply for credit union services. Referral through agency? No, you can sign up yourself
Contact details
Knowsley Mutual Credit Union 11 Market Sq, Kirkby L32 8RG, telephone 0151 545 3380, www.knowsleycu.co.uk Enterprise Credit Union Hall Lane, Huyton L36 6AX, tel 0151 482 0177, www.enterprisecredirunion.org Halewood Community Credit Union The Halewood Centre, Roseheath Drive, Halewood L26 9UH, tel 0151 443 2084 Southdene Credit Union 63 / 65 Henlow Av, Kirkby L32 9RN, tel 0151 548 5200 Merseymoney (website – enter your postcode to find credit unions close to home or work) www.merseymoney.org.uk
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Type of help / support available
Advocacy
Details
Many organisations offer advocacy alongside other services.
Knowsley Advocacy Hub What is it? Based in the Centre for Independent Living in Huyton, the hub provides a single point of contact for advocacy in Knowsley. Who can access it? Open to all How? Contact the hub on 0151 244 4090 or www.knowsleyadvocacyhub.org Referral? Either by agency or directly from the individual
Other organisations offer advocacy to particular groups (for example Centre63 offers advocacy to those aged 16 – 25)
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Type of help / support available
Older people
Services
Age UK (Age UK Knowsley & West Mersey - AUKKWM) What is it? As part of its free Information & Advice Service, AUKKWM provides a range of money themed advice for older people. This includes supporting people with benefits applications (accredited as Joint Working Partners by the local office of the Pensions Service), and access to the range of Age UK guides and publications. Who can access it? Services are available to those aged 50+ How? Contact the Age UK KWM Information & Advice Team on 0151 290 3195 Email [email protected] Referral through agency? No, client can self refer
Knowsley Older People’s Voice (KOPV) What is it? Provides information on a range of topics affecting older people, and provides opportunities for older people to influence these. Maximising the Income and Spending Power of older people continues to be one of the key themes within the Knowsley Older People’s Strategy which KOPV has developed in partnership with Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council. One area of work arising from this is a team of volunteer Financial Mentors who receive regular updates from Pensions Service staff on the changing picture of the UK welfare system, and are able to share this knowledge with other older people who they come into contact with. Who can access it? Open to everyone aged over 50 How? Call the Age UK KWM Involvement Programme on 0151 290 3194 Email [email protected] Referral by agency? No, client can self-refer
KPAIS (Knowsley Pensioners Advocacy and Information Service)
Offers support across Knowsley with the following to older people –
Welfare Rights Advice and Assistance
General Advocacy
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Advice, Information & Signposting
Befriending
T.A.S.K. (Trader Approved Scheme Knowsley)
How? Open to all, free
Where? Old Schoolhouse, St John’s Road, Huyton, L36 0UX telephone 0151 449 3706
Email [email protected]
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Type of help / support available
Free face to face debt advice
Services
KUC (formerly Kirkby Unemployed Centre)
KUC’s Welfare Benefits advice;
KUC’s Debt advice;
Employment Law advice provided by Thompson’s Solicitors;
Advocacy services provided by Making Space / Knowsley Bridge;
Supported Housing services provided by SHAP;
Online Literacy, Numeracy & Employability services provided by Advance Employability;
Knowsley Academy (kids & adults Thai Boxing and fitness classes);
Community Café;
Meeting Rooms. For more information:
Tel: 0151 548 0001
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kucltd
Twitter: @kucltd
The drop in service is open from 9.45am to 12.30pm Monday – Thursday
Saints Community Debt Advice Project What it is? Free & confidential debt advice service Who can access it? Open to all How? Drop in and pre-arranged appointments available Referral through agency? No – client can self refer / turn up
Drop in sessions on Wednesday from 6.30-8.30pm at St George's Community Hall, St George's Road, Huyton, L36 8BE and Thursday mornings from 9.30-11.30am at St Luke's Community Hall, Princess Drive, West Derby, L’pool.
Drop in sessions are open to anyone, if the service cannot accommodate people they can also refer to other projects in the Liverpool area.
We also offer appointments to clients which they can book by contacting us. Contact telephone 0151 289 0084, this is an answerphone and messages are picked up daily. E-mail address is: [email protected]
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Jubilee Debt Advice What – quality, free, confidential debt advice and practical support Where - 10am – 12 at St Mark’s, Deycroft Avenue, Northwood, Kirkby, L33 9TE Telephone 0151 546 0470 Drop in, no need to book an appointment
Money Advice & Budgeting Service (MABS) What is it? Free, confidential and impartial debt and budgeting advice to members of Enterprise Credit Union or those who become members. We offer a full casework service. Who can access it? Must be a member of Enterprise Credit Union or join to access the service How? Monday and Tuesday - 9.30 to 11.30 drop in service Thursday and Friday by appointment. Appointments can be arranged by phone, calling or emailing into the office. Referral through agency? No, the service is part of Enterprise Credit Union Contact details 110-112 Liverpool Road Huyton Liverpool L36 3RF Tel 0151 292 5022 Email: [email protected] Fax: 0151 481 0494 www.knowsleymabs.org MABS also provide free financial literacy training sessions for both clients and frontline staff. These are 1-2 hours sessions or can be tailored for specific issues.
Centre 63 - The Yes Project What is it? A drop in service available Monday and Tuesdays offering support with Debt Management and Advocacy. The service offers support with benefit advice / rent arrears, priority and non priority debt, advocating and money management. Who can access it? Aimed at 16 – 25 year olds. How? See contact details for Centre 63 in this leaflet Referral? No, self-referrals accepted
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Knowsley CAB Offer advice Mon – Fri 9 – 5 across a range of subjects from 3 office bases, with an outreach service in Stockbridge Village – Stockbridge Village Villages Office, Croft 10 – 12pm every Tuesday. No need to book, just turn up Halewood The Halewood Centre Roseheath Drive Halewood L26 9UH Halewood office opening hours Drop in Monday and Wednesday 9 – 5 Appointments Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 – 5 Call 0845 1221 300 to make an appointment or drop in to see an adviser Huyton 1 Griffiths Road Huyton L36 6NA Kirkby 2 Newtown Gardens Kirkby L32 8RR Email for advice – [email protected] Telephone – 0845 1221 300 Website – www.knowsleycab.org.uk Advice includes benefits, debt, education, employment, housing, health, relationships & legal.
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Type of help / support available
Free telephone or online debt advice
Details
National Debt Line - 0808 808 4000 www.nationaldebtline.co.uk Pay Plan - 0800 917 7823 www.payplan.com Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) 0800 138 1111 / www.cccs.co.uk Debt Advice Foundation – 0800 043 40 50 www.debtadvicefoundation.org
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Type of help / support available
Claiming welfare benefits / entitlement
Details
Age UK What is it? Benefit checks & help with form completion, both of which can be done during an office visit office or home visit for people over State Pension/Pension Credit age. Who can access it? Information & Advice to clients who are 50+, however due to the level of demand will focus primarily on those at the higher end of the age group for benefit enquiries. How? Information and Advice line on 0151 290 3195 open Mon-Fri 10am – 2pm. Home Visits and Appointments (Huyton Hub, Derby Road, Huyton) can be arranged. Referral through agency? No, self referral
Centre 63 - The Yes Project What is it? A drop in service available Monday and Tuesdays for benefit advice / rent arrears, priority and non priority debt, advocacy and money management. Who can access it? Open to 16 – 25 year olds How? Call in or ring to find out more Centre 63, Old Hall Lane, Kirkby, L32 5TH / www.centre63.co.uk Telephone 0151 549 1494 / Email [email protected] Referral through agency? No, self referral
Prescot and Whiston Community Advice Centre What is it? Independent advice centre, offering welfare rights support service, assistance with claiming benefit and appealing benefit decisions (to tribunal) Who can access it? The service is open to all. How? Contact the Centre directly to make an appointment or attend a drop in session for advice. Drop in Mon – Fri 9.30 – 12.45. Appointments Mon – Fri afternoon. Ring for an appointment Referral? No, client can self-refer Contact Prescot Centre, Eccleston Street, Prescot, L34 5GA, 0151 443 4639
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KUC (formerly Kirkby Unemployed Centre) What is it? Independent advice centre offering support to complete benefit claims and entitlement checks. Also offers support to appeal benefit decisions Who can access it? Open to all How? Drop in, or ring for an appointment Referral? No, client can self-refer Contact Westhead Avenue, Kirkby, L33 0XN, 0151 548 0001, www.kuc.org.uk
Knowsley CAB What is it? Offers advice Mon – Fri 9 – 5 across a range of subjects from 3 office bases – Halewood The Halewood Centre Roseheath Drive Halewood L26 9UH Halewood office opening hours
Drop in Monday and Wednesday 9 – 5
Appointments Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 – 5 Call 0845 1221 300 to make an appointment or drop in to see an adviser Huyton Nutgrove Villa 1 Griffiths Road Huyton L36 6NA Kirkby 2 Newtown Gardens Kirkby L32 8RR Email for advice – [email protected] Telephone – 0845 1221 300 Website – www.knowsleycab.org.uk Advice includes benefits, debt, education, employment, housing, health, relationships & legal.
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Huyton Advice Centre What is it? Free, independent advice centre offering free advice on budgeting, employment law and welfare benefits and signposting to other services. Offers support to residents wishing to claim benefits / challenge benefit decisions Where? Nutgrove Villa, 1 Griffiths Road, Huyton L36 6NA How? Drop in or call to make an appointment Contact Telephone 0151 489 7313 or drop in to speak with an adviser
Knowsley Council’s Welfare Benefit Visitors What it is? The Council’s visitors can advise on all welfare benefits and assist residents to claim. They will also signpost on to other services if needed. Free service. Who? Open to all residents – as the team offer home visits, the service is particularly suitable to people with mobility or other issues which make office visits more difficult Where? The team offer home visits How? Call 0151 443 4045 to make an appointment
Villages Housing - Tenants Extra Support Scheme (TESS) What is it? TESS is a free service which is funded through Supporting People - a housing related support services for vulnerable adults - and can offer: - Advice on completing forms for benefits and housing; - Budgeting money, managing debts and rent arrears; - Understanding your rights regarding the Department of Work and Pensions and Housing and Council Tax benefits; - Understanding your housing rights and help maintaining your tenancy agreement; - Signposting you to relevant agencies for advice & support, and even speaking to them on your behalf Who can access it? Open to all How? Call into the office at 16 The Croft, Stockbridge Village, call 0151 949 5050 or email [email protected]
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Villages Income Management Team What is it? The team can offer support to Villages tenants around financial issues. Who can access it? All Villages tenants How? Call 0151 480 1313 and ask for the Income Management Team
KHT What? Offer information and guidance to KHT tenants on bank accounts, budgeting, money matters and benefits. How? 0151 290 7000 Website www.k-h-t.org Who? KHT tenants How? Ring to find out more
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Type of help / support available
Victims of Loan Sharks
Details
What is it? National - Illegal Money Lending Team & ‘Shop A Shark’ Who can access it? Open to anyone who is a victim or suspects loan shark activity How? Knowsley Council 0151 282 1122 or 0300 555 2222 – this is anonymous Email [email protected] Text loan [space] sharks [space] your message to 6003 Referral through agency? Self referral, or speak with a local agency to assist you
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Type of help / support available
Money Advice
Details
Money Advice Service What is it? Help with budgeting, welfare benefits, tax, savings / investment, mortgages, pensions, managing finances after significant life events (having a baby, bereavement, separation / divorce, moving in together, caring for someone, getting married, going to university), insurance Service delivered by Knowsley CAB Who can access it? Available to all Telephone 0151 477 6004 Send a text to ‘TMAS’ followed by your name and the number you’d like someone to call you back on
