Support for You
Are you facing redundancy?
Redundancy can be a worrying time. Jobcentre Plus provides
information on what to expect from your employer and what effect
redundancy has on making a claim for benefit. Jobcentre Plus will
give you details of where to find extra information and help on
redundancy issues, making a claim for benefit and finding a new
job.
To find out more, visit the Jobcentre Plus website. If
you are a member of a trade union, you can also get help, advice
and support from them, if you have concerns about
redundancy.
Do you need help in finding new employment?
There are many ways that Jobcentre Plus can help you with your
search for work: They advertise jobs, support you to get a
job and can tell you about the benefits you maybe eligible
for, while working, such as Tax Credits.
JobcentrePlus have Britain's largest database of job vacancies.
There are many jobs available at any time, and can be accessed by
visiting the Jobcentre Plus website,
phoning 0845 6060 234or using a Jobpoint when visiting a Jobcentre.
You can also search using free text by visiting Direct
Gov.
Are you struggling to pay your Mortgage?
In January 2009 the Government launched a Mortgage Rescue Scheme
with the aim of supporting vulnerable households facing
repossession, to help them remain in their own homes.
For further information visit the Council's Mortgage Rescue Scheme webpages.
Do you need advice on claiming benefits? / Are you eligible for
Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit?
If you wish to claim help with your rent or
council tax you may be able to claim housing
benefit or council tax benefit. You do not have to be receiving any
other benefits, just be on a low income or low wage. You may be
able to claim help if other people live with you who are on a low
income, this is known as second adult rebate. For more information
visit the Council's webpages relating to benefits.
Are you entitled to extra help such as Working Tax Credits or
Child Tax Credits?
The Inland Revenue's website provides information on Working
Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits.
Do you need careers advice?
Whether you are in work or not, you can get independent advice
about skills and job possibilities. From basic skills to
work-related training, management and leadership training and
university courses, you may be able to get free or partially-funded
training.
Visit the Careers Advice Service
website or telephone 0800 100 900. For face-to-face advice, contact
your local Nextstep by searching
for your nearest office on Directgov.
Would you like to develop new skills?
The Careers Advice Service also provides free information and
advice on learning and work. A confidential helpline is available
from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on 0800 100 900 or visit them online.
If you are not sure where to start with skills, you can call the
'In Our Hands Helpline' or
call on 0800 011 3030.
Do you need practical debt or legal advice?
In order to help you if you're having difficulty
with debt, the Government has increased funding for the National
Debtline until 2011, which means it will be able to help 70,000
more people with their debt problems.
Your local Citizens Advice Bureau can also
provide you with help and advice on debt. The Government is
increasing the amount of funding for these bureaux this year, so
that they can help over a third of a million more people each year
with local, face-to-face advice.
In order to help you find free, independent
sources of advice on and support with debt, this month the
Government set up an online
debt advice gateway on Directgov.
Where to go for help
Have you had time off from work due to anxiety or depression
and worried about keeping your job?
We all feel low or down in the dumps at times, but sometimes the
problems become worse and affect our day-to-day lives. You may feel
alone or panicky, find yourself crying a lot, find it difficult to
do a normal job or get pleasure out of anything. You may feel like
nothing can be done to help you stop you feeling this way, and you
may worry that you are going to lose your job because of it.
However, a combination of guided self-help and
employment support has helped lots of people to feel better and has
helped them to stay in employment. Help yourself to good mental
health through the new
NHS
Employment Adviser Service, a
new service helping people in Central and Eastern Cheshire who are
struggling to stay in work and/or on sick pay, to access talking
therapies coupled with employment support quickly and easily. You
can contact them by email, phone them on
07525 324 502 or write to:
IAPT Employment Adviser Service
Pathways Community Interest Company
Timbrell House
86-88 Timbrell Avenue
Crewe
CW1 3LY