To provide a crisis telephone helpline for the people of Bute and Cowal, responding to increased need for financial and benefits advice as well as emotional support.

Salary costs of 2 part-time Welfare Rights Support Workers

Universal Credit has been fully rolled out in Argyll and Bute in September 2018, to this point many individuals have been in receipt of legacy benefits and have had no requirement to be computer ....more

Universal Credit has been fully rolled out in Argyll and Bute in September 2018, to this point many individuals have been in receipt of legacy benefits and have had no requirement to be computer literate. As vulnerable individuals circumstances change, this will act as a trigger and an application for UC will be required. In order to make an application clients will need to be up-skilled in a way never experienced before. The funding will allow advisers to offer support in a new way. Clients who have never used a computer will be supported to open an email account and make an application for UC, they will then be supported to update their journal and ensure that they are meeting all of the expectations. In order that clients can be supported to complete the information online themselves, it is vital that Bute Advice Centre has access to 2 ipads that are used as a learning tool for clients whilst in the office. The skills they will learn can then be used at home, in libraries, at the job centre or anywhere they may need to update their information. The ipads can be used for new applicants, supporting new applications. However,it is also vital that as clients circumstances change that they understand how to make changes on their journal, e.g. where the relationship status changes, a new child is born in to a family, a bereavement etc. The fund will support extra staffing hours specifically for this new service the and purchase of 2 ipads that can be used by individuals during one to one sessions. The ipads will also be useful on home visits with disabled clients who require a UC claim to be made and lack the digital skills to be able to do so. Clients will also be supported to understand how to scan in evidence that is required e.g. proof of a change in circumstances. It is vital as this welfare reform roles out that everyone learns how to work online, developing these skills is critical to managing benefits and ensuring their journal is up to date. The beneficiaries of this new project will be the unemployed, disabled individuals of working age on benefits, those in work on low incomes who rely on top-ups to manage financially. The Island of Bute is within some of the highest percentile of deprivation in Scotland according to the Scottish Poverty Index, with very high unemployment and much of the work available is low skill/low paid and seasonal. Bute Advice Centre proposes to roll out the new support from December 2018 alongside partner agencies who will make referrals e.g. social work department, local councillors who are approached by worried constituents, Womens Aid, GP surgery, mental health teams and local community groups. The aim is to provide support to approximately 60 individuals over the period via approximately 300 sessions

Will train 50 people living with long term health and caring challenges how toimprove their money management skills

Detailed information not yet available.

Not Available

This project will provide a financial advice service focused on disadvantaged older people, disabled people, carers and lone parent families. The project will deliver financial budgeting and skills ....more

This project will provide a financial advice service focused on disadvantaged older people, disabled people, carers and lone parent families. The project will deliver financial budgeting and skills training, assist clients to maximise benefit uptake, offer counselling and support for people struggling with financial difficulties, provide housing advice, and provide energy advice. The grant will fund salaries, training and general running costs

The centre will to engage two sessional workers for three months for their Money Advice/Welfare Rights service. This grant will fund two sessional workers and their training costs.