Meet Katie: Struggling With Benefit Caps

Katie was struggling with money after her splitting from her husband and having to cover the cost of housing alone. Not knowing how to improve her situation, she approached Better Off Finance, and is now on top of her finances.

Katie got in touch with Better Off Finance (BOF) after being referred by the Citizens Advice. A full-time mum-of-four, Katie’s eldest child was awaiting heart surgery to repair a hole in her heart, and her youngest was also being monitored for cardiac difficulties. Katie’s marriage had broken down in 2017, after her husband was unable to cope with their children’s ongoing health problems. While he still maintains a good relationship with the children, Katie was going it alone.

Katie was struggling with money due to the cap imposed on housing benefits, which meant only £24 of her £78-per-week rent was covered – a common issue since the cap was introduced in 2013. Lack of money had caused Katie to fall into debt to cover housing costs, which had mounted up to £2,800. At the time of approaching Citizen’s Advice, her washing machine was leaking, but with no disposable income to replace it, Katie had to make do.

Official data obtained by housing charity Shelter in September 2019 found that around 370,000 low-income households renting privately struggle financially, as housing benefits fall so far behind rental costs due to the benefit cap. The average monthly shortfall now stands at £113, putting many families at risk of poverty and homelessness.

Through Better Off Finance, Katie was assigned a Key Worker, who sat down and helped her work through her financial issues. Her Key Worker identified that Katie wasn’t receiving all of the benefits to which she was entitled, such as Disability Living Allowance for her eldest child. She was also assigned a Discretionary Housing Payment, and received a grant to purchase a new washer-dryer; she has now been referred to the debt advice team, who are helping her work out what debt-repayment options are open to her.

Since accessing support through Better Off Finance, Katie’s situation has improved. Her finances have become more stable, and the new washing machine has lightened her load at home. She said:

“I am feeling more optimistic and confident and know that my situation will continue to improve… The best thing is seeing the same person and knowing you can turn to them whenever issues arise.”

Katie has now begun a Level 2 Mental Health course, and is starting to feel more confident in herself. She said she’s grateful for the support she’s received from Better Off Finance, and to anyone thinking about accessing support, she would definitely recommend it!

About us:

Better Off Finance is offering residents of the Liverpool City Region who are currently unemployed (although don't have to be claiming benefits), a bespoke programme of support. 

This support will be provided at a local community venue or at home if a participant prefers.

Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to:

Improve their financial capability through 1-2-1 support and group work

• Access employability sessions within the programme

• Access a Level 2 Accredited ‘Money Mentor’ opportunity

• Progress into training and education opportunities

• Prepare and progress into sustainable employment.

Please contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages to make a referral or for further information.

Better Off Finance is a programme jointly funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative

The Women’s Organisation Praises Universal Credit Report Recommendations

The Women’s Organisation is welcoming recommendations in a new report into the impact of Universal Credit.

The study published last week, by the Resolution Foundation in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, has called on the government to make vital reforms including making Universal Credit more female-friendly. It says boosting work allowances for single parents and second-earners would boost their work incentives and increase household incomes.

As part of its research, the Foundation carried out in-depth interviews across the Liverpool City Region (LCR). The area was one of the first areas to receive Universal Credit, and a higher proportion of working-age families are on UC than across the country as a whole (31 per cent for LCR, compared to 24 per cent for the UK).

The interviews focused on recipients’ experiences of various aspects of the new system and uncovered a number of areas where further improvements are needed.

The report also said that they were almost universally positive about the other organisations that were supporting with financial or employment-related issues.

One of these is Better Off Finance, an innovative partnership led by social enterprise The Women’s Organisation and funded by Building Better Opportunities via the European Social Fund, along with the National Lottery Community Fund.

It helps people better manage their money, instil financial resilience and prepare and move into sustainable employment.

Its services include helping with benefits, ensuring people are receiving their full entitlement, and helping reduce debts to make peoples’ money go that bit further.

The initiative began in 2017 and so far it has signed up 1,174 people across the Liverpool City Region, with nearly two-thirds of them women. (64% female and 36% male. All were unemployed and 49% had a disability.)

Maggie O’Carroll, CEO of The Women’s Organisation, said: “Last week’s report shows the damaging effect which Universal Credit is having on our communities. While the roll out of Universal Credit may have been intended to simplify the welfare system, we have found that it compounds common issues for many of the most vulnerable who we work to support.

“Not only does it create a very real barrier for those who may wish to explore the route of self-employment to improve their own personal and financial circumstances, the one payment per household system poses an even greater threat to vulnerable women who may be at risk of domestic abuse. That’s why it’s so important that programmes like Better Off Finance are equipping people with the tools to become more financially mobile.

“We’re proud to be working with Citizens Advice across the Liverpool City Region on the delivery of Better Off Finance, which is helping those who are most vulnerable to take control of their finances, become more resilient and gain the all important confidence to take their next steps into sustainable employment”.

Maggie O'Carroll, CEO of The Women's Organisation

Among Better Off Finance’s success stories are Catharine Ramage, who left her teaching job due to ill health and was unemployed for seven years. Better Off Finance helped her become more financially savvy and regain control of her personal finances, saving £100 a month. Feeling empowered to take her next steps into self-employment, Catherine is now a small business owner.

She said: “My key worker gave me tools for life to maximise my income and minimise my outgoings. I always tended to bury my head when it came to this stuff – now I have the confidence to find and negotiate better deals for monthly necessities.

“Today, I am a business-owner running my own editorial business from home. My mentor made me feel like they really cared about helping me to improve my situation – not that they were just ticking boxes or trying to ‘push’ me back into work. They took the time to understand my circumstances and give me a personalised service. I feel really lucky to live in a city where these services are available to me”.

Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said: “As it stands, Universal Credit disproportionately punishes the most vulnerable will leave a majority of families in our region worse off.

“I’ve been an opponent of UC since day one, but the reality is that this government aren’t going to scrap it. They have to listen to those on the frontline and undertake reforms like those suggested in our report to make things more manageable for people who are struggling.

“UC should offer a genuine safety net rather than forcing people to wait five weeks wait for a first payment and penalising them for finding work.”

Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram

To find out more about Better off Finance contact hello@thewo.org.uk or call 0151 706 8111.

John turns his life around with Better Off Finance

 There’s nothing worse than feeling out of control. When life begins to take a downward turn, the resulting domino effect can cause breakdowns of relationships, businesses, and ultimately, mental health.

62-year-old John’s* life began to spiral after his business began to fail. At the same time, his marriage started to disintegrate; due to the stress and anxiety he was under, he eventually became alcohol dependent, disengaged from his family, and withdrew from society, rarely leaving the house and neglecting to care for himself. As matters worsened and his mental health deteriorated, John began to suffer from suicidal thoughts.

Alcoholism and mental health issues often go hand in hand - people with mental health issues are twice as likely to develop alcohol dependency than the rest of the population. While many use it to numb negative feelings, in the long run alcohol greatly contributes to stress, anxiety and depression, meaning sufferers become trapped in an inescapable cycle of trying to treat a problem with the very thing that is causing it.

John was put in touch with the Better Off Finance programme by his housing association, who were assisting him in finding a cooker and using food banks. His situation had deteriorated to the point where he realised he needed help: he lived alone in a four bedroomed house, and found himself unable to deal with everyday matters. John came to the decision himself that he wanted to turn his life around and become alcohol-free, and so reached out for support.

Through Better Off Finance, John was assigned a Key Worker, who provided 1-2-1 support throughout his journey. During this period, John managed to clear his water arrears and create a new payment plan for future bills; he received a new washing machine, as his previous one had fallen into a state of disrepair; he reduced his mobile and TV package, and received support in creating a manageable budget for utility bills and monthly outgoings – something which he has never done before. A further grant has also been applied for to top up John’s current income while he is getting back on his feet.

As a result of the support from Better Off Finance and his Key Worker, things have been looking up for John. After getting his new washing machine through Better Off Finance and a new cooker from his housing association, he has started taking care of his appearance and eating healthily, which has had a huge positive impact on his wellbeing. In turn, this has led to him reaching out to his family and spending time with his grandchildren – along with support from a substance misuse charity, contact with his family has been a massive encouragement in his journey to becoming sober.

The change in John is clear: he’s more confident and sure of himself, and is managing independently. He’s recently gained a qualification in First Aid, something which he could never have imagined doing a few months ago.

He said: ‘The support and encouragement from my Key Worker has been amazing, and I can’t thank he enough for just listening and understanding my situation. I would urge anyone to access this service. It has been invaluable to me in realising that there is help if you want it, and it has started to build my confidence and self-respect back to what it used to be’.

About us:

Better Off Finance is offering residents of the Liverpool City Region who are currently unemployed (although don't have to be claiming benefits), a bespoke programme of support. 

This support will be provided at a local community venue or at home if a participant prefers.

Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to:

Improve their financial capability through 1-2-1 support and group work

• Access employability sessions within the programme

• Access a Level 2 Accredited ‘Money Mentor’ opportunity

• Progress into training and education opportunities

• Prepare and progress into sustainable employment.

Please contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages to make a referral or for further information.

Better Off Finance is a programme jointly funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative

Energy Saving Week Tips

Turn off Standby appliances

Take a look around your home, how many appliances do you have on standby? TV, phone charger, microwave, lights? These devices draw power when plugged in and not in use. This is sometimes known as 'vampire power'.  Each appliance may only account for £3 each year although, if you have 30 appliances on standby this amounts to £90 every year! Research from energy saving experts have also discovered that having appliances on standby may account for about one hundredth of all carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere globally.

 Turn down Temperatures

The washing machine is one of the most heavily used appliances in the home. A 7kg washing machine used 220 times a year will cost typically between £25 - £35 a year to run. In-fact, wet appliances account for almost 10% of typical household’s energy bills. To save energy, switch to low temperature 30-degree washes.

Money can also be saved by turning down the thermostat dial. Research from Energy Saving Trust shows that more than 60 % of the British public are making at least one heating control errors. Simply setting your thermostat from 24 C to 23 C, could save £75 a year to your annual energy bill.

Be Water-wise

Save water by turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving, rather than running a constant stream. Studies have shown that we waste four gallons a minute. Doing this can save 200 gallons a week for a family of four!

Think twice before filling up your kettle to the brim. The average kettle holds 1.5 litres of water and uses about 0.1 kWh of electricity to boil for 3 minutes. That’s around 2.5 pence every time you boil a full kettle. The average British person drinks 884 cups of tea each year, this means that we spend over £20 every year boiling the kettle!

About us:

Better Off Finance is offering residents of the Liverpool City Region who are currently unemployed (although don't have to be claiming benefits), a bespoke programme of support. 

This support will be provided at a local community venue or at home if a participant prefers.

Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to:

Improve their financial capability through 1-2-1 support and group work

·                     Access employability sessions within the programme

·                     Access a Level 2 Accredited ‘Money Mentor’ opportunity

·                     Progress into training and education opportunities

·                     Prepare and progress into sustainable employment.

Please contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages to make a referral or for further information.

Better Off Finance is a program jointly funded by The Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative

5 Tips to Celebrate Christmas on a Budget

You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a great Christmas. Don’t get overwhelmed by your time and finances by following our 5 tips to celebrating Christmas day on a budget. 

1. Set a budget 
Before you start thinking about what gift you’re going to buy for the office secret Santa – you need to be thinking about what you can afford to spend altogether on the festive period. The best way of doing this is by calculating your budget and knowing exactly where your money is going to go. Having a budget in front of you will help you to track your outgoing funds. You can start your own tracker by using a simple spreadsheet or you can use this Christmas Money Planner by The Money Advice Service 

2. Make a list 
Writing down a list of people you’re going to buy for or food you’ll need for the day will make sure you stay on track with spends. The list will give you a good idea important items and maybe not so important ones (Your neighbours cat might not need a present!) it’s also great to be able to cross the items off. Don’t be afraid to trim this list down when needed!

3. Don’t be fooled by sales
Don’t be tricked by the “50% off” signs that will start to appear around the shops – if it’s not on your list, you don’t need it!

4. Get savvy with vouchers
Whilst there will be deals in the shops that will make you spend unnecessary money – you can save a lot of money by checking for any discounts for items that are on your list. 

5. It’s the thought that counts 
Homemade gifts and decorations can be inexpensive and easy to make. Getting creative with some craft products can save you a lot of money but also make for a more personalised gift. If you’re not feeling creative – charity shop finds can also make for great affordable gifts! 

About us:

Better Off Finance is offering residents of the Liverpool City Region who are currently unemployed (although don't have to be claiming benefits), a bespoke programme of support. 

This support will be provided at a local community venue or at home if a participant prefers.

Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to:

Improve their financial capability through 1-2-1 support and group work

• Access employability sessions within the programme
• Access a Level 2 Accredited ‘Money Mentor’ opportunity
• Progress into training and education opportunities
• Prepare and progress into sustainable employment.

Please contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages to make a referral or for further information.

Better Off Finance is a program jointly funded by The Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative

Meet Thomas: Living Without Basic Home Appliances

In a 2018, Turn2us conducted a survey of 2,000 people earning below the national income and it was found that 49% of them were living without a washing machine along with other basic appliances. For people living without home washing machines, it is 2561% more expensive to use a launderette and can lead to a number of different issues in peoples lives. 

28-year-old Thomas, struggling with his confidence approached Citizens Advice Halton to get some support with food vouchers. After sitting down and speaking with him, Thomas shared that he had a mild form of cerebral palsy and due to not having a washing machine had to make regular trips to the laundrette with heavy bags which worsened his condition. 

Being declined a disability bus pass also meant that he was spending much more money than he could afford on the journeys. The effects of living without basic appliances can go beyond financial capability and can start to risk physical and mental health. Looking further into the full impact of living without basic appliances, many people in the survey spoke about the issue of cleanliness and the stigma of having to wear unclean clothing. Frequent handwashing was also leaving a negative effect on people’s lives with overall poor hygiene being a catalyst for depression and anxiety. 

Since joining Better Off Finance, Thomas has now been able to secure a washing machine in his home. “Now that I have a washing machine, I can see that my mental health & wellbeing has significantly improved”

Through 1-2-1 support and working through the programme with his keyworker Kerry, he began to work on his financial planning through budgeting and spending diaries and after reapplying for the disability bus pass was finally granted one for 5 years. He was also able to apply for warm home discount, a government scheme giving extra help to people struggling with energy bills and was awarded a £140 discount.

Thomas at Citizens Advice Halton

Thomas now feels like he’s turning a corner through the encouragement of the project: “I am more in control of my bills, Kerry set out a monthly plan and contacted creditors to set dates up for payments when I was paid my PIP and universal credit.”

Thomas now has a full-time job and is continuing to progress himself: “The best thing about Better Off Finance is the trust I had in my Key Worker Kerry to feel comfortable and not judged. I’ve told my sister about the project and she’s now going to sign up for support too”

If you're struggling with living without basic household items and you need some help, get in touch with us and we'll show you how we can support you. 

About us:

Better Off Finance is offering residents of the Liverpool City Region who are currently unemployed (although don't have to be claiming benefits), a bespoke programme of support. 

This support will be provided at a local community venue or at home if a participant prefers.

Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to:

Improve their financial capability through 1-2-1 support and group work

Access employability sessions within the programme

Access a Level 2 Accredited ‘Money Mentor’ opportunity

Progress into training and education opportunities

Prepare and progress into sustainable employment.

Please contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages to make a referral or for further information.

Better Off Finance is a program jointly funded by The Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative

Liverpool City Region Project Launches Ambassador Scheme to Help Local Communities Manage Money Better

A scheme to help people manage their money better and access employment opportunities has recruited seven local ambassadors to help reach people in the community struggling to seek support.

Better Off Finance offers Liverpool City Region residents who are currently unemployed a bespoke programme of support which will be provided at a local community venue, or at home if a participant prefers.

Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to improve their financial capability through managing money and progressing into training or education opportunities to allow them to become work ready.

This is achieved through one-to-one support and group work.

To help this, Better Off Finance has appointed seven ambassadors who have all been through the Better Off Finance support scheme themselves.

This enables them to share their own experience, while giving them the tools to go into the community and represent the work the scheme is doing across the Liverpool City Region.

Speaking about the support the scheme was able to offer him, ambassador Michael Pope said: “This support helped me so much, when I didn’t have an income.

“I’m joining the ambassador scheme to spread the word about the support so people can benefit from it.”

Fellow ambassador, Nick Cliffe from St Helens, explained: “Having a key worker for a year was very helpful at a difficult time in my life.

“I’m becoming an ambassador so that I can promote the project that helped me and advise people in my local area who are struggling with financial worries.”

And Jodie Hill, another of the ambassadors, added: “I went to Citizens Advice overwhelmed with my debt. Once I received support I felt more in control of my finances.

“I’m looking forward to giving people the same encouragement I got and getting the word out about the programme.”

Better Off Finance launched in 2017, as a £2.4m programme funded by Building Better Opportunities via the European Social Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund.

It is delivered by a range of partners, including Citizens Advice and RAISE, an independent charity providing free advice and training around welfare benefits, debt, and money management issues, with Liverpool-based social enterprise The Women’s Organisation as the lead agency.

Since its launch the programme smashed its target of supporting more than 1,000 individuals and was extended by the Building Better Opportunities fund for a further two years.

Jo Mountfort, Better Off Finance programme manager, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be building on the successes of the project and launching this ambassador scheme.

“The feedback we had from some of the clients from the Better Off Finance programme is that they felt empowered and fired up to help spread the word of the project out in their communities.

“This scheme will help us steer and guide them to be able to do this in a supported way.”

She added: “The fact that they have walked in the shoes of their peers means that they really understand the needs, and we can’t wait to see how things develop.”

Better Off Finance support is available to people who are unemployed in the Liverpool City Region.

For more information on the programme contact the team on 0151 706 8111 or at hello@thewo.org.uk