Scottish Welfare Fund - A Guide to Additional Support - Angus Council

Scottish Welfare FundA Guide ToAdditional Support

IntroductionThis leaflet provides information about additional support for bothScottish Welfare Fund applicants and Angus residents in general.There are many sources of help and support available – includingsome that you may not be aware of. The organisations and schemesdetailed in this leaflet are only a brief overview of some of the mainsources of assistance, but there are many more out there that couldbe able to provide help and support. For further information pleasecontact 01382 536596.If you wish to learn more about Crisis and Community Care Grants,details can be found in the “Scottish Welfare Fund” leaflet.To apply for a Crisis or Community Care Grant from Angus Councilplease phone the ACCESSLine on 08452 777 778.For enquiries about an application you have already madephone 01382 536596.Further information about Crisis or Community Care Grants can alsobe found at www.angus.gov.uk/scottishwelfarefundFinancial Assistance, Grants and Benefits AdviceWelfare RightsAngus Council’s Welfare Rights team offers free, confidential adviceon a number of issues including benefits, debt and incomemaximisation. They can check you are receiving all the benefits youare entitled to and support you with any appeals.For more information contact the ACCESSLine on 08452 777 778Discretionary Housing Payment SchemeIf you are in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit andare struggling to pay your rent, Angus Council’s DiscretionaryHousing Payment scheme may provide temporary assistance.A Discretionary Housing Payment can help cover a shortfall in rent,giving you an opportunity to organise your finances or find moreaffordable accommodation.Telephone: 01382 536500

The Social FundThe Department for Work and Pensions can provide assistancethrough the regulated Social Fund. This covers Funeral Payments,Cold Weather Payments, Winter Fuel Payments and Maternity Grants.In addition to this, people on very low incomes may be eligible toclaim a Budgeting Advance which provides an interest-free alternativeto high-cost lending for emergency and unforeseen expenses.For further details about Social Fund payments, please contact yourlocal Jobcentre Plus.Turn2UsTurn2us helps people in financial need gain access to welfarebenefits, charitable grants and other financial help.To find out more information and access the Turn2Us benefitscalculator and grant search visit their website.www.turn2us.org.ukCharity SearchCharity Search delivers a free service which helps older people ingenuine financial need receive the support that may be availableto them from a variety of charitable sources.Telephone: 0117 982 4060Web: www.charitysearch.org.ukFamily FundThe Family Fund gives grants to families raising a disabled orseriously ill child aged 17 or under, dependant on the parent orcarer’s income. Their grants bring practical and essential help suchas washing machines, bedding, fridges, specialist toys and muchneeded family breaks.Telephone: 08449 744 099Web: www.familyfund.org.uk

Money and Debt AdviceCitizens Advice BureauYour local Citizens Advice Bureau offers free debt managementand money advice services. Confidential, impartial andindependent advice and information is also available on a widerange of subjects.Arbroath11 Millgate, DD11 1NNTelephone: 01241 870661Forfar19 Queen Street, DD8 2HHTelephone: 01307 467096Montrose32 Castle Street, DD10 8AGTelephone: 01674 673263Angus Credit UnionThe Angus Credit Union offers a variety of savings options that canhelp you to manage your money. They can also provide informationabout opening a bank account, low interest loans and generalbudgeting advice.Telephone: 01307 463388The Money Advice ServiceThe Money Advice Service can offer free, unbiased advice onmaintaining a budget and answer questions on debt, borrowing,credit, insurance and general day-to-day money matters.Telephone: 0300 500 5000Web: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

Employment, Volunteering and TrainingTowards Employment TeamThe Towards Employment Team works across Angus to supportunemployed and low income adults back into work. The teamoffers a wide range of employment advice and assistance.Support with training and childcare costs may also be met.Telephone: 01241 438160Email: TETStrategy@angus.gov.ukWeb: www.angusahead.com/TETCommunity Learning and Development ServiceOffers learning opportunities for people who would like to learn touse a computer and the internet to find a job, college course ortraining opportunity. Help in writing CVs and applying for jobsonline is also available.Telephone: 0800 027 5525Voluntary Action AngusOffers opportunities & support to help people into employmentincluding volunteering, motivation, personal development & lifeskills. Access to computers including use for training, accessinginformation also available.Arbroath, 32-34 Guthrie Port, DD11 1RNTelephone: 01241 875525Forfar, 1-3 St James Road, DD8 2AQTelephone: 01307 466113Email: info@voluntaryactionangus.org.ukWeb: www.volunteerangus.org.uk

Skills Development ScotlandHelps individuals realise their potential by offering career advice,on-the-job training and funding for learning. They also offer advicefor people who have recently been made redundantTelephone: 0845 8502502Web: www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.ukFurniture/Household itemsRecycled FurnitureFurniture Recycling Project AngusUnit 1 Wardmill RoadWardmill WorksArbroathDD11 1SATelephone: 01241 437438Forfar Resource Centre9 Don StreetForfarDD8 3BRTelephone: 01307 469370Both of these organisations offer recycled or second hand furnitureand white goods at a fraction of the original price.Starter Packs AngusHelps people all over Angus who are on a low income and havestarted up a new tenancy by providing a basic starter pack ofhousehold goods. Access to the service is through referral from anapproved agency.Telephone: 01241 878588Email: enquiries@starterpacksangus.org.uk

Energy AdviceAngus Care and RepairHelps elderly and disabled Angus residents save money on theirenergy bills by:● helping to find the cheapest tariffs currently available to them● carrying out a home energy survey to help reduce energyconsumption● advising on funding schemes available for energy saving worksThey can also assist with home repairs, adaptations and improvements.Telephone: 01307 463232Email: enquiries@anguscareandrepair.orgWeb: www.anguscareandrepair.orgEnergy Saving Trust ScotlandThe Energy Saving Trust Foundation gives impartial and accurateadvice about heating and insulating your home, saving energy andcutting costs. They can also carry out a Home Energy Check withyou that will help you to find out about free or discountedinsulation and support that may be available.Telephone: 0800 512 012Food ParcelsIf you find yourself in serious financial difficulty or suffer a familyemergency, a food parcel could provide short term help. There areseveral food parcel projects operating throughout the Angus area.For further details please contact 01382 536596.Housing AdviceAngus Council Housing Options TeamContact the Angus Council Housing Options team for advicewhether you’re living at home with your parents, looking to buy forthe first time or need support to live independently.Telephone: ACCESSLine 08452 777 778Email: housing@angus.gov.ukWeb: www.angus.gov.uk/housing/options

ShelterOffers help to alleviate the distress caused by homelessness andbad housing. They can provide confidential help to people with allkinds of housing problems.Telephone: 0808 800 4444CarersAngus Carers CentreAims to improve the quality of life for all carers in Angus byproviding information & support on a one- to- one or group basis.Training for carers is available as well as regular groups & eventsincluding those specifically for carers in employment. Benefits advice& support to complete forms is available for all carers registered withthe Centre. Specific projects also provide specialist advice & supportfor young carers & carers affected by drugs & alcohol.Arbroath, 3 Fisheracre, DD11 1LETelephone: 01241-439157E-mailWeb:enquiries@anguscarers.org.ukwww.anguscarers.org.ukwww.angusyoungcarers.org.ukHealth and WellbeingCommunity Mental Health ServicesAngus Council’s Community Mental Health Team providesassessment, support, counselling and financial/housing advice forpeople with mental health problems. They will also assist carers ofpeople with mental health problems.Telephone:01307 475239 (Forfar/Kirriemuir)01241 437200 (Arbroath/Carnoustie/Monifieth)01356 692856 (Brechin/Montrose)March 2013