The Advice Dorset Partnership E news is published fortnightly on a Thursday, BUT if there is something urgent in-between we will send out a short supplementary edition.
As usual feel free to forward this email to colleagues and they can get in touch with us if they wish to go on the list. If you would like to send anything out via the bulletin, and for all other enquiries about the Advice Dorset Partnership, contact Caroline Buxton on her Citizens Advice Central Dorset email: mailto:caroline.buxton
Jobs
Citizens Advice Central Dorset – Administrative Assistant: 14 hours/week, £10.46 per hour. The Administrative Support Assistant will be organised, efficient and motivated to ensure the smooth running of the organisation. Building on existing processes and procedures, the role will be to support the administration of the trustee board and the offices across Central Dorset Citizens Advice. They will be confident with a wide range of ICT and administrative procedures and have a good understanding of administrative processes. This role is for 14 hours per week and would be suitable for hybrid working – with at least one day based on our Dorchester office; there is also a requirement to work occasional evenings to attend Board meetings. Read more here.
Information updates
COST OF LIVING
DWP update about cost of living payments: The DWP stated at a Work and Pensions Committee evidence session that cost of living payment qualifying periods will be staggered for Universal Credit claimants. This is to ensure that people who didn’t qualify for a payment because of the frequency of their earnings (for example, where they get 3 fortnightly earnings payments in one assessment period), shouldn’t miss out on the next cost of living payment.
Disability Cost of Living Payment – update: Most people entitled to the £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment will have been paid automatically between 20 June and 4 July. Customers can now report a missing payment HERE if they think they should have had one of the following payments but cannot see it in their bank, building society or credit union account:
- £301 Cost of Living Payment for a low-income benefit
- £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment
BENEFITS
Deadline to pay voluntary National Insurance (NI) Contributions to increase State Pension extended: New regulations extend the deadline for paying voluntary class 3 NI contributions for the period 2006 to 2016, and for the 2016/17 and 2017/18 tax years. The deadline had already been extended to 31 July 2023 and will now be 5 April 2025. This gives some people more opportunity to build their contributions record under the transitional arrangements for the new State Pension. Read the regulations here.
Missing Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP): The DWP and HMRC are identifying people who may have HRP missing from their NI record because they claimed Child Benefit without a NI Number between 1978 and 2000. This could affect their current entitlement to State Pension. The DWP states that it will start contacting affected people from Autumn 2023. Read more here.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) light touch reviews: Some PIP claimants whose condition is severe and unlikely to change are subject to a ‘light touch review’. This means their award will only be reconsidered after 10 years. This can apply if a claimant is over pension age, or has a severe, lifelong condition and receives the enhanced rate of both daily living and mobility components.
As PIP was introduced in 2013, some of these awards will now be subject to review. The DWP has developed a simplified form to be used in these cases. These are due to be introduced in August 2023. The DWP do not expect an assessment with a health professional will be required for most of these claimants. Contact should be restricted to checking whether anything has changed and confirming that information held by the DWP is up to date.
DWP – Access to Work Plus: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is testing a way of providing support for people with high in-work support needs through the Access to Work grant scheme. This is called Access to Work Plus. Any Access to Work Plus award will be included as part of the main Access to Work grant. It is not a separate application. It can provide funding for things like adjustments to buildings or workplaces, or changes to job roles. Here is the guidance on how employers can refer people.
FAMILY
Increase in the ‘statutory legacy’ on intestacy: The ‘statutory legacy’ is an amount which a surviving spouse/civil partner is entitled to from the estate of their deceased spouse/civil partner when they have died intestate (without having made a valid will) and there are surviving children. Currently under the intestacy rules this amount is £270,000. If an estate is worth more than this sum the excess amount is divided 50% to the spouse/civil partner, and the remaining 50% for the children. From 26 July 2023, as a result of the Administration of Estates Act 1925 (Fixed Net Sum) Order 2023, the statutory legacy will increase to £322,000. Citizens Advice has information on intestacy here.
HOUSING / HOMELESSNESS
New referral pathway for homeless veterans: Earlier in the year the Government announced an additional £8.55 million in funding to end homelessness amongst veterans across the UK. As part of this funding, the Government has now announced a new referral pathway service called Op FORTITUDE. The new service will be run by Riverside Housing Group and will provide homeless veterans, including those who are sleeping on the streets, with a single referral pathway to obtain support. Op FORTITUDE opened for referrals on 3 July. Initially this will be limited to tenancy sustainment and high risk referrals. It is expected that the service will be fully operational by 1 September 2023. Referrals can be made online or by telephone, 0800 9520774. Read the press release here.
IMMIGRATION
Changes to the Immigration Rules: These include changes for dependents of students and asylum seekers that took effect from 17 July. There are other changes for families, workers, Ukrainians and the EU settlement scheme which come into effect until 7 August. These are set out in Robert Jenrik’s written statement here.
Events
Gamcare webinars: GamCare’s mission to raise awareness of, and support those affected by gambling-related harm. While still often perceived as a male activity, levels of gambling-related harm among women, either directly or as an affected other, are increasing – and the gap is narrowing. Today, up to one million women could be at risk from gambling harms. GamCare offer free CPD accredited webinars to professionals who work with women. You can book a place onto their 90-minute webinars on the 1st, 13th, 21st or 26th of September at 10am. They look at how gambling is impacting on women and how to identify the signs; these are usually debt, mental health issues, breakdowns within families, and suicidal thought. Read more about Gamcare’s Women’s programme here, and for mor einfo on eh webinars contact: mailto:[email protected]
Citizens Advice July Cost of Living Briefing: Monday 24 July, 1.30 – 2.30. We’ll be analysing the increasing impact of the crisis on mortgage holders and private renters. Alongside Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice and Tom McInnes, Chief Data Analyst, we’ll hear from Jackie Jeffrey, Chief Officer at Citizens Advice Shropshire about how this is affecting the people they see everyday. Book via eventbrite.
Policy in Practice – How housing providers are boosting the financial strength of customers during the cost of living crisis: Wednesday 26 July, 10:30 – 11:45. In the face of the ongoing cost of living crisis housing providers play a crucial role in supporting the financial wellbeing of their customers. This webinar explores the innovative strategies and initiatives undertaken by housing providers to build the financial strength of individuals and families, empowering them to navigate the challenges posed by rising costs. Register here.
Reports, research etc
How the cost-of-living crisis is worsening mental health issues: The cost-of-living crisis is affecting families across the UK. With more and more people having to make difficult decisions on how to spend their money, it’s having a detrimental impact on many people’s mental wellbeing. But it’s affecting some people more than others. In this blog, Citizens Advice explores how the crisis is impacting people with existing mental health conditions, and examines the structural inequalities that mean that marginalised groups are more at risk of poor mental health. Read more here.
Living on Empty: This policy report from Citizens Advice looks at the situation for people with a negative budget – spending more on essentials than they have coming in. It wasn’t so long ago that we only saw people in the very worst of crises in a negative budget, but now it’s people in full-time work. It’s nurses, homeowners, care workers – people with a steady, normal income who just can’t make ends meet. Our advisers do everything they can, but an increasing number just can’t get back into the black.The government can fix these failures. Then we’re here to help with the rest….. Read more here.
NCVO Time Well Spent report: This is NCVO’s research programme focusing on volunteers and their experience. The survey explored: volunteer participation, motivations and barriers to volunteering, the quality of volunteers’ experiences and the impact of volunteering. Read more here.
Research on the impact of the two child limit and the benefit cap: New research has looked at the impact of the benefit cap and two child limit. DWP statistics show that 1 in 10 children are now affected by the two child limit. Leading children’s charities have written to all Westminster party leaders about the impact of this. Research shows that it is one of ‘biggest drivers’ of child poverty, which increased from 3.6 million children in 2010/11 to 4.2 million in 2021/22. Read more here from the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) who say that removing the two child limit would have the immediate effect of bringing 250,000 children out of poverty whilst 850,000 would be in less deep poverty.
Funding news
BH Coastal Lottery Small Grants Scheme: Fund now open for charities or community groups based in the Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council area who would benefit from a grant of up to £2,500. To apply for a grant of between £200 and £2,500, your project must benefit residents living in the BCP Council area and help contribute to developing a vibrant community. Your project should include strong volunteer or resident involvement. Priority will be given to projects where a small grant will make a significant difference.
You can check your eligibility and apply to the scheme via the Council’s website. The deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 20 August 2023.
7Stars Foundation: Grants of up to £2,500 for registered charities with an annual turnover of less than £1.5 million to deliver projects and activities that support young people aged 16 years and under across the priority themes of abuse, addiction, child carers, and homelessness. Closing date 31 August. Read more here.
Lloyds Bank Foundation – d/Deaf and Disabled people’s organisations: This programme is for small and local charities with an income between £25,000 to £500,000 which are led by and working with d/Deaf and Disabled people who are experiencing poverty. Organisations can apply for a three year unrestricted grant of £75,000. The deadline for applications is 31 August 2023. Read more here.