Category

• Emerging Local Practice

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Poverty impact

• Prevention
• Mitigation
• Reduction
• Awareness

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Poverty driver

• Increase income from benefits
• Non-driver - improving quality of life

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Keywords

• Debt Management
• Benefits
• Financial Inclusion
• Education
• Lived Experience

Aim

The aim of the project is to maximise the income of families applying for Free School Meals (FSM) and School Clothing Grants (SCG) by providing advice on money, benefits, and debt. The project aims to reach low-income parents who would not normally, or have never, come forward for money advice.

Summary

Advice Works is Renfrewshire Council’s advice service. It is a free, confidential, and independent service that provides money, debt, and benefits advice. The Advice Works team offers advice on financial budgeting and supports service users when handling creditors, bankruptcy, mortgage and rent arrears. Low-income individuals and families can receive support when applying for benefits or entitlements, or if they want to challenge a benefit decision or a Universal Credit sanction. This project offers advice and a comprehensive service to all families who apply for FSM and SCG.

What difference does it make?

This project makes a difference to locals in Renfrewshire by helping them with their finances and providing advice. This includes advice on budgeting and negotiating with creditors which helps service users understand their debt. Having support throughout this can make the process seem less daunting. Providing advice on mortgage and rent arrears stops service users from falling into further housing issues and helps prevent homelessness. The project also ensures its service users are getting all the benefits they are entitled to.

Key take-aways

• Not everyone experiencing poverty are aware of the benefits available to them and may require extra support to increase their income.
• Supporting those facing debt can help the process of repayment less daunting.
• Catching financial problems early, such as mortgage or benefits advice, can prevent poverty.

 

Organisations

Renfrewshire Council

Location

Located in Johnstone, but the service covers all of Renfrewshire.

Contact