Income
Maximisation
Service |
The Income Maximisation Service is a new service which will bring together staff currently providing information and advice services within the Social Work, Environmental Services, Housing and Property Services and Education Department, under the management of the Social Work Department. |
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General
Benefits
Advice |
General Enquiries about benefit entitlement can be made at your local Advice Works.
Assistance can be given with completion of claim forms and advice on a range of welfare benefits and money advice. Checks can also be made to ensure that the correct level of benefit is in payment. |
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Money
Advice |
We can provide advice on a wide
range of debt related topics such as credit cards, mortgage arrears, council tax
or bank loans. Information on issues like bankruptcy, poindings and warrant
sales or council tax debts is available. |
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Advice
And
Representation |
People living on, or applying for state benefits sometimes receive decisions on these benefits which they do not agree with. Although the right of appeal exists, people often fail to exercise this right because they do not know where to go to get help and advice.
Income Advisers can give initial advice on whether it is worth lodging an appeal and can also provide representation at the subsequent tribunal hearing or court appearance.
Representation can be provided in the following:
UNIFIED APPEALS
| COMMISSIONERS APPEALS
HOUSING BENEFIT/COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT
SMALL CLAIMS COURT |
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Benefit
Take Up
Campaign |
An effective way of encouraging people to claim the benefits to which they are entitled is to mount a Take-up Campaign.
We are presently involved in a Severe Disablement Allowance Campaign. |
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Redundancy
Advice |
The Income Maximisation Service may become involved in redundancy situations at the request of either management or Trade Unions and therefore, has an opportunity to contact employees in the workplace setting prior to their being made redundant.
Briefing sessions can be provided of workers and/or their Trade Workplace Representatives.
In some situations, it may also be possible to give advice directly to individuals in a private interview situation.
For further advice or information telephone the Advice Works listed. |
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Outreach
Work |
The Income Maximisation Service may provide a surgery in your area.
The Service can also participate in one off events to publicise the work of the Service.
Contact your local Advice Works for more information. |
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Talks to
Groups and Organisations |
Income Advisers can provide talks on benefits for local groups or organisations e.g. Pensioners Clubs, Disabled Groups, Lone
Parent Groups, Carers, Forums etc.
The talks can cover a whole range of benefits or can simply concentrate on a few specific benefits.
Most talks take place during working hours1 although evening work can also be undertaken if required.
If your Income talk on contact group or organisation would like an Adviser to come along and provide a benefits and debt problems, please the Advice Works in your area preferably in writing, giving at least four weeks notice. |
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