Providing advice during tough times

Advice NI centres have the contract to deliver the ‘For Your Benefit’ benefit update programme on behalf of the NIE. The programme conducted 1,302 Benefit Entitlement Checks and generated £1,071,781 in unclaimed benefits for vulnerable people and families.

Example 1

The advice centre was contacted by a local bank with regard to a couple with two children who were in financial difficulties. An appointment was made to see the couple that same day. The clients were homeowners with a £25,000 secured loan and £22,500 of unsecured debt spread across ten separate creditors, which included store cards, credit cards, personal loans and catalogues. They had been to a fee paying debt management company but found the payments and fees unmanageable. With the help of the Money Adviser the couple are now servicing their mortgage and secured loan in full and have realistic arrangements in place with their unsecured creditors. The couple now feel that they are in control of their financial situation and are no longer too frightened to answer their door or telephone.

Example 2

A client, who was widowed and had four dependent children, sought help as her tax credits award had ceased due to an alleged failure to supply information in relation to her claim. Moreover she was faced with a demand for an overpayment of tax credits amounting to over £1,000. The adviser successfully challenged the tax credits overpayment decision and assisted the client to re-apply for tax credits. The client received £87 per week and a backdated sum amounting to £2,080. In reviewing the case, the adviser also found that a tax rebate was due and an amount of £986 was secured. Finally the client had a demand to repay over £5,000 of an army pension. The adviser examined the details of the case and successfully challenged this decision. As a result of the adviser’s intervention, the client’s financial situation was stabilised and her general health and stress levels were also improved.

Example 3

The organisation received a referral from a social worker regarding a rurally isolated mother and son who suffered from a range of severe physical and mental disabilities. A home visit was arranged with the social worker where it was discovered that there was no heating in place, few social security benefits and numerous debts. The adviser completed Benefits Entitlement Checks and secured entitlements to a range of disability benefits and Pension Credit. The adviser also assisted with applications for a heating system to be installed. The adviser has entered into long term negotiations with creditors and has been able to get some debts written off with the help of evidence from social services and health professionals. A ‘Good Morning’ telephone call is now in place each morning as well as a range of other support provision with the result that these clients now enjoy a better quality of life.