About
Financial Inclusion
A partnership project with Citizens Advice East Berkshire, helping people get the advice they need so they can reduce their reliance on crisis support, including the use of foodbanks, as their financial situation improves.
Financial Inclusion Project
In October 2023, with funding provided by Trussell, we launched our Financial Inclusion Project with Citizens Advice East Berkshire (CAEB).
Many people who find themselves in food poverty crisis and need to use a foodbank have underlying issues relating to benefits, debt, low income, discrimination at work, housing, homelessness or ill health. Having trained advisers from CAEB dedicated to offering advice and information related to these areas is of enormous benefit ensuring that clients are getting all the support possible to help them out of food poverty.
In addition to support from Citizens Advice, clients are signposted to other sources of help depending on their situation.
Client Stories
A lady in her 60s, lives on her own with various health problems including mental health.
- Backdated PIP payment of £7,531 awarded
- PIP increased to high rate care of £627.60 per month
- Community transport provided
- Household Support Fund awarded
The client was receiving standard rate PIP but her health got worse and she was advised to request a review. She completed the review but didn’t hear anything from DWP. We helped her follow-up and gave guidance to complete a telephone review. The client was awarded a back-dated payment of £7531.00 and her PIP was increased to high rate care and mobility – she now receives £627.60 per month.
We also helped the client with community transport which picks her up and takes her on trips and this has improved her mental health. Whilst the client was awaiting the PIP review she received Household Support Fund which helped her with supermarket vouchers.
A lone parent with 2 children living in refuge after fleeing domestic violence
- Talking therapies referral
- Child benefit and universal credit received
- Rehoused
- Fast-tracked indefinite leave to remain
The client asked for financial advice and we helped her reclaim child benefit as her ex-partner was getting it for the children, despite the children living with her. We also advised her to add the child element onto Universal Credit. Despite her immigration status the client was allowed to receive benefits due to her Domestic Violence status. However, she was not able to apply for alternative housing. The client felt the refuge was unsuitable for her children. The client’s case was escalated at a caseworker meeting and we sent the client information on section 17 of the children’s act. We spoke with the client on the phone and guided her through conversations with her GP. The GP contacted the council on her behalf and the council accepted duty of care to rehouse, she discussed this with her solicitor and he fast-tracked her indefinite leave to remain which she has now received.
The client suffered from depression and anxiety due to her situation. We referred her to Talking Therapies and she started sessions with them. The client has sent various emails thanking us for our help and expressed she couldn’t have got where she is now without us.
Single mother with health issues, living in temporary accommodation with teenage children
- Inadequate temporary accommodation now being rehoused
- Awarded £390 extra in benefits
- Travel costs for Son’s education increased by £100
- Household Support Fund awarded
The client was placed in temporary accommodation in Slough by Hillingdon Council. The property was not in a good state of repair and had a mould issue which was exacerbating the client’s asthma. The council were not planning on finding her alternative accommodation. The property had 1 bedroom, which she shared with her children aged 15 and 18.
We escalated a query via Hillingdon Council as it was temporary accommodation that they had placed her in. She contacted them and they assessed her property but they didn’t return and no action was taken. We discussed legal advice and she contacted a housing solicitor. The council are now treating her as having a duty of care and looking at rehousing her.
We also discussed benefits and the client is now receiving Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity benefits of £390 extra per month. We also spoke about travel costs for her son’s school as he is out of borough. The school was providing him with £50 towards all school costs, this has been increased to £150. The client also received the Household Support Fund.
The client states she feels a lot better with her mental health since we have provided assistance.