Henry Smith Charitable Fund
Our programme provides qualifications and work experience for volunteer advice workers leading to potential employment. It supports those currently excluded from the workplace and encourage some of the most vulnerable local people including long term unemployed, and single parents to become involved in volunteering, gain qualifications and employment for those seeking to do so. Our support with budgeting, financial literacy, household finance management and awareness of costs of credit, is invaluable for the community with the Covid-19 crisis leaving many facing reduced income or redundancy and the need for retraining.
Budgeting and household financial management has become more urgent as a result of the large numbers effected by the Covid-19, and the volunteers will support the delivery of information sessions to the wider community on maximising income and reducing outgoings.
Advice services for those experiencing mental health issues
This project provides the vital support needed by people with mental ill health to protect their income, homes and support families. Mental or physical illness can push someone into debt, through loss of employment when you can no longer cope, or having to spend prolonged period off work with the illness. Individuals can experience a significant drop in income with suffering with mental illnesses. People may not be claiming all the benefits they are entitled to, and following loss of earnings can find themselves more likely to get into debt. Mental health issues mean that people can miss appointments or submission deadlines related to social security applications and payments, and if these individuals have to live on low incomes for a prolonged period, any small financial demands can cause them to fall further into debt. This project provides the vital advice and support necessary to avoid such circumstances and support people to improve their situations.
The project support our clients to:
Access to Justice – by supporting them to navigate the complex Social Security system to achieve their rights and resolve issues for people in order that they can effectively address issues of income and debt.
Access a Safe Space – so that that people feel supported and are aware that support is available
Become financially better off - The people who benefited from this project are financially better off which improves their quality of life which results in:
Reduced Stress
Better able to understand the benefit system
Prevention of Homelessness
Improved Health and Well Being
Public Health Agency
This project provides representation services for social security appeal cases and support with appeal submission preparation. We facilitate vulnerable clients to access the Social Security Tribunal Service The project support clients to prepare and submit written submissions by EBIAC for those clients relying solely on written submissions by the Tribunal Representative and their medical records. Personal Independence Payment appeals continue to represent the vast majority of the cases we deal with, together with smaller numbers of Child DLA appeals, Attendance Allowance and other benefits including Universal credit. The service continued to provide representation and advocacy for those requiring support through the Covid-19 pandemic and as restrictions ease, our face-to-face work will no doubt increase in line with government guidance and client need.
Halifax Foundation NI
AGE UK research from May 2021 shows that 2.1 million pensioners are living in poverty in the UK and more than two billion pounds of benefit income is unclaimed every year. Many of these pensioner households are entitled to but are not in receipt of Pension Credit, and help with rent through Housing Benefit.
There are a range of reasons why people do not claim their benefit entitlements including lack of awareness, an assumption that they would not be entitled to help, a concern that the process will be complicated, a reluctance to provide personal information, and negative attitudes about receiving benefits or asking for help
Some people assume they will not be entitled to help because they are a homeowner or have a small private pension. Others have tried to claim in the past and been turned down, and are not aware they may now qualify because things have changed.
At EBIAC we don't want to see people struggle needlessly. At EBIAC we are undertaking a Benefit Uptake Campaign targeting older people with local groups, press, social media and local services used by the community.
We can Provide Benefit checks and advice to Older people and make referrals to local support organisations.
Site developed by Avec Solutions
Charity Registration Number: NIC101850
A Company Limited by Guarantee: NI40485
View Privacy Notice
