Help is available for people living with debt, lower incomes and money worries, is the message given by Falkirk Council advisors during Challenge Poverty Week.
The combined expertise of the Community Advice teams helps people maximise their income and get impartial, confidential advice on debt, welfare and benefits.
Staff from the Council’s Community Advice teams helped 3,154 new benefit clients in the 2019/20 financial year, generating over £7.5m in income for residents in the local area. The debt advice team assisted 745 local people in the same time period, tackling £5.3m of debt.
The service continues to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic with little disruption, ensuring that those most in need get the help they require.
What is poverty?
One of the main aims of Challenge Poverty Week, which runs 5–10 October 2020, is to highlight the differences between what people think to be poverty, and what poverty actually means.
Struggling to pay bills, put food on the table or not being able to take part in society are all hallmarks of poverty, and it is more common than most people believe - one in five people live with the constant pressure of poverty. Particularly affected are women, disabled people and people from black and minority ethnic communities.
Challenge Poverty Week is an opportunity to raise awareness of potential solutions to poverty. Falkirk Council’s Community Advice teams - including Debt Advice, Welfare Benefits and the Scottish Welfare Fund - can help those in need.
I have money worries. Who can help?
Debt advice
If you’re worried about debt, our Debt Advice Team provides free, impartial and confidential advice. They can talk to you about options to help your current situation.
Debt Helpline: 01324 506735
Debt Advice: falkirk.gov.uk/moneyadvice
Refer yourself: falkirk.gov.uk/debtadvicereferral
Welfare Benefits advice
Our Welfare Benefits Team can help:
- if you’re not sure what benefits you should claim
- if you need help completing a benefit form
- if you have been refused benefit
- if you require benefit representation
They also provide free, impartial and confidential advice on all benefit matters.
Welfare Benefits Tel: 01324 506070
Welfare Benefits: falkirk.gov.uk/benefithelp
Refer yourself: falkirk.gov.uk/welfarebenefitsreferral
Scottish Welfare Fund
The Scottish Welfare Fund helps people who are on a low income or are having difficulties because of an exceptional situation or need help with a one off expense. There are two types of grants available:
Crisis Grant – can provide people with a safety net in the event of a disaster or emergency such as a fire or flood, or if money has been lost or stolen.
Community Care Grant – can help people leaving care to live on their own , or to stay in their own home. This grant can also help families facing exceptional pressures that are in need of essential household items, such as a cooker or washing machine.
Scottish Welfare Fund tel: 01324 506070
Scottish Welfare Fund Website: falkirk.gov.uk/scottishwelfarefund