There is a wealth of financial advice now available to help you cope with the impacts of the Coronavirus outbreak. Both the Government and Calderdale Council offer lots of really useful online advice, whilst Citizens Advice and Disability Support Calderdale can help you over the phone with your benefits etc.
Below are a number of links to these key service providers and below that a list of our most recent finance-related news.
Citizens’ Advice
Provide advice and support on a wide range of financial issues. They advise on Universal Credit (UC) and related benefits like Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). They look at a person’s overall situation and decide which benefits would be the best for that person/family, bringing in housing, specialists, debt management advisors and have an ‘Energy Champion’ who looks at people’s energy bills. They also have a Debt team and an Appeals team supporting the above services.
CAB helps people to fill out forms and applications for support. They help all ages, including families with children, and adults. They have people who are multilingual, including Urdu and other languages.
All CAB’s services are currently online or over the phone. They have seen an increase in requests for support regarding Universal Credit, and General Advice around Furlough and Employment Rights. All CAB advisors are fully informed on these subjects.
They also have dedicated teams looking into Debt and Welfare Rights issues (More on Debt & Welfare Rights work)
At Present, CAB phone lines are very busy. They are urging people to be patient, and if they can’t wait on the phone, they should email by going onto the website and pressing the ‘Contact Us’ button. CAB staff will respond to ALL emails within 24-48 hours.
Please call Telephone Advice Line: 0300 330 9048
Monday : 9:30am – 3:00pm
Tuesday : 9:30am – 3:00pm & 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Wednesday : 9:30am – 3:00pm
Thursday : 9:30am – 3:00pm
Friday : 9:30am – 1:00pm
Alternatively, for email advice please visit their website: www.calderdalecab.org.uk
Citizens’ Advice – Help with energy bills and energy suppliers
Citizens’ Advice – Help With Benefit Appeals
Citizens’ Advice – If you can’t pay your bills because of coronavirus
Other Sources of Financial Advice
Financial Advice for Disabled People – Disability Support Calderdale’s services
Energy: How to Top-Up Gas & Electric Safely / More energy advice
Calderdale Credit Union is a savings and loans co-operative owned and managed by its members, all of whom live or work in Calderdale or Kirklees. You can find out more and join online at Calderdale Credit Union .
If you are worried about your finances or your existing debt solution you can get support from StepChange Debt Charity.
Government:
Guidance for people who are employed and cannot work due to coronavirus
what to do if you’re employed and cannot work
self-employed – what to do if you’re getting less or no work
Already getting benefits – how they’re affected
Find out what you can do if you’re struggling because of coronavirus
Calderdale Council:
Council Tax: Council Tax bills have now been sent, showing how much is owed for the year and the date this payment needs to be made. We will not be deferring any Council Tax payments for the 2020/21 financial year at this stage. If you’re struggling with payments there are a number of discounts or reductions you may be eligible for.
Business support: Recent government announcements have confirmed a package of measures to provide support for businesses registered for business rates to minimise the impact of COVID 19. Please complete their online forms at: Business request for support. For information on all the support being offered for businesses, visit the Council’s virtual business hub.
Latest Finance/Money News Items
With high energy prices (soon to get higher) and the imminent possible reduction of Universal Credit, many people are being forced to choose between paying their rent, buying food and keeping warm. But it’s not just about being …more- Roundup of recent DWP announcements Health and disability green paper – one month to go Don’t miss the chance to shape the future of the benefits system by responding to the Shaping future support: the health and disability …more
- Do you get Direct Payments for your care and support from Calderdale Council? Or are you interested in getting a Direct Payment? We are looking to start a Direct Payment Users’ Support Group, and we would love to join us! …more
- Thousands of Disabled people on out of work benefits, such as ESA and Jobseeker’s Allowance, are facing considerable mental health and physical challenges as the pandemic has left them struggling financially, new research shows. …more
- Rogue Traders in West Yorkshire targeting vulnerable residents. West Yorkshire Trading Standard continue to receive reports of doorstep traders using pushy and sometimes aggressive sales tactics to intimidate people, usually the …more
- The work capability assessment is very important for universal credit and central to employment and support allowance (ESA). Disability Rights UK’s factsheet F71 explains the work capability assessment in a detailed but …more
- In 2020, the Welfare Benefits Team at Central England Law Centre (CELC) noticed a trend in the ‘UC50’ limited capability for work questionnaire form not being issued to claimants in circumstances where that would have been …more
- Disability Support Calderdale are based in the Upper Valley and have regular drop in sessions for people who are having trouble with benefits and housing. The drop in sessions are at the Upper Valley Community Hub, Hebden …more
- The DWP’s national programme for supporting Disabled people to find and stay in work is not working and must instead be delivered at a local level as part of a renewed effort to break down unacceptable barriers Disabled people …more
- Disability Rights UK work capability assessment factsheet The work capability assessment is very important for universal credit and central to employment and support allowance (ESA). Disability Rights UK’s …more