33
Years supporting women and children (October 1973 - 2006)
Haven
Services: Housing and Welfare Benefits Advice Service
Many
women who access The Haven require support with Housing and Welfare
Benefits. The Haven thus provides a Housing
and Welfare Benefits Advice Service for all hostel residents. We
have a Housing and Welfare Benefits specialist who assists the residents
with a wide variety of issues.
These include:
Checking
individual entitlement to DSS Benefits.
Assisting
in the completion of claim forms.
Requesting
reviews or appealing against DSS decisions.
Representation
at DSS tribunals.
Assisting
with applications for Social Fund Loans and Community Care grants.
Imparting
skills on budgeting and debt management.
Advice
and assistance in securing permanent accommodation.
Advice
with rent and council tax arrears.
Requesting
reviews or appealing against Council/Housing Association
decisions.
Access
to relevant welfare benefit/ housing related agencies.
The
Housing and Welfare Benefits Advice Service is essential
in meeting the needs of these women. It provides one-to-one
support
for
over
80%
of resident women,
and also provides support for non-resident clients.
Housing Advice is available at each Hostel to provide practical support
and information.
To
ensure we can provide accurate information and quality support,
we
have developed strong links with Housing Associations, Social Fund
Section of the D.S.S., the Homeless Services and Housing Benefit
Section.
Our staff attend training on Housing Issues.
Checking
individual entitlement to DSS Benefits.