A groundbreaking new service has been launched to assist people from all walks of life with money matters, debt advice and support and help with their benefits.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has secured £176,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Communities First Outcomes Fund on behalf of the 24 Communities First areas in the County Borough.
The funding has enabled the appointment of a team of six specialist officers who, in partnership Citizens’ Advice Bureaux services in Rhondda Cynon Taf, will offer support to residents.
Open to all, regardless of their age, income or employment status, the Financial Inclusion – Welfare Benefits and Debt Advice Service will offer support on issues including benefits and benefit cuts, debt, rent arrears, difficulty with mortgages and other financial agreements, fuel poverty, utility bill arrears and more.
It will also aim to provide support in relation to money management, safe and responsible borrowing and understanding the impact of the recently-announced benefit reforms and public sector spending cuts.
Cllr Maureen Webber, Cabinet Member for Council Business and Community Engagement, said: “I am so pleased we have secured this funding from the Communities First Outcomes Fund to deliver a centrally-coordinated service that will help all residents.
“These are troubling times, with many people affected or concerned by the current economic situation, including unemployment, increasing cost of living and welfare reform.
“We are absolutely determined to protect and support residents in our Communities First areas, who are among the most vulnerable in Wales, to ensure they have access to what they are entitled to, have help and support when they need it and, importantly, can make good financial choices.
“This also forms part of our ongoing agenda to tackle child poverty by ensuring families maximise their incomes.
“It is important to remember that this service is being delivered as a result of direct calls for assistance from our communities and will complement existing work carried out.”
The successful bid was made in response to Communities First areas highlighting the need for welfare benefit and debt advice at a grass roots level, the current economic climate and the growing concerns about the impact of the benefit reform announcement on communities in Rhondda Cynon Taf, some of which are among the most deprived in Wales.
The County Borough is also ranked 18th out of the 381 UK Councils in terms of the number of residents receiving Disability Living Allowance, while the ongoing credit crunch, unemployment and feared job losses are leading to a significant increase in the number of residents asking for help.
The service will also complement the ongoing work being by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and partners including:
- The Welfare Rights Project for residents aged 50 and over
- Consumer Advice from Trading Standards
- Benefiting Families Service for those with children, or for young people aged 24 and under.
- Macmillan Cancer Care advisors
- Rhondda/Taff Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Cynon Citizens’ Advice Bureau and RCT Citizens’ Advice Bureau
For more information, contact your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau or Communities First office
