Here, IncomeMAX Managing Director Lee Healey looks at Warm Front, an important scheme in England which can help people to make their home warmer.  

Warm Front

The Warm Front scheme installs insulation and heating improvements to make homes more energy efficient.

The scheme is currently open to new applications, so if you are eligible you should apply straight away. 

The Warm Front scheme can provide a range of measures and improvements to households. This can include heating improvements if you do not have a working central heating system.

To qualify, you must be in receipt of certain income-related benefits.

Qualifying households can get improvements worth up to £3,500 (£6,000 where oil central heating and other alternative technologies are recommended).

Grants are available for improvements such as:

• gas, electric, liquid petroleum gas or oil heating
• glass-fronted fire – the Warm Front scheme can convert your solid-fuel open fire to a glass-fronted fire
• loft insulation
• draughtproofing
• cavity wall insulation
• hot water tank insulation

You won’t have to pay anything as long as the work doesn’t cost more than the grant available. If the cost of the work is more than the grant available you’ll have to make a contribution to enable work to go ahead, but work will not start without making sure you are willing and able to pay the difference. 

Who is eligible?

The scheme is targeted at people on certain income-related benefits and living in properties that are poorly insulated and/or do not have a working central heating system. You must own your home or rent it from a private landlord.

Remember, The Warm Front scheme is only available in England.

Eligible customers are those awarded…

• Pension Credit or;
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance that includes a work-related activity or support component (this includes contribution based ESA customers in the support group who get an income related top up because they automatically qualify for the enhanced disability premium payable with income related ESA), or
• Income Support or;
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or;
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance in the assessment phase (first 13 weeks of the claim)

…who must also have one of the following:

• a pensioner premium. or;
• a disability or severe disability premium, or;
• an award of child tax credit that also includes an element for a disabled,  or severely disabled child or young person, or;
• a child under the age of five living with you

The benefit criteria can be quite complicated to understand. Do seek advice from an expert welfare advice service (CAB, Advice UK Member Centre, Law Centre, Age UK etc) if you are unsure about your eligibility.

How do you apply for Warm Front?

You can apply for the Warm Front scheme in any of the following ways:

To apply online, click on this link:  https://web.eagagroup.com/referrerEBS/createReferralPublic.pdo?referrer=WFPUB 

You can also email your contact details to enquiry@carillionplc.com and an advisor will then call you back.

To apply over the phone Call 0800 316 2805 (or textphone 0800 072 0156). An advisor will then take you through the application form.

A fantastic opportunity to work for a developing Community Interest Company in a lovely central London location.

Come and join our friendly team as a trainee welfare advisor for the UK’s entitlement experts, IncomeMAX.

Who are we?                                    

IncomeMAX are the entitlement experts. We help people to make sense of their benefits, tax credits, expenditure and debt issues.

What do we do?

We provide personalised telephone-based advice to our customers, to help them maximise their income and minimise their expenditure.

We do this through a range of projects commissioned by our partner organisations.

What does the job involve?

Our welfare experts know and understand the benefits and tax credits system inside out. We help our customers to make sense of their welfare entitlement, maximise income and minimise their expenditure, so that moving forward they are in a much better position financially. We also help customers to find the right debt advice.

We go the extra yard for every customer, recording our interactions and building each customer’s case as we progress.

So you’ll be on the telephone talking to customers a lot! You’ll carry out in-depth benefit checks and will provide expert advice to customers to help them increase income and minimise expenditure.

As a result of your work with customers, you’ll prepare in-depth reports and statistics for customers and our commissioning partners.

Phew! Sounds like hard work?

It is. But it’s rewarding and ground-breaking. IncomeMAX is unique in its approach and we’re a company going places. Our trainee welfare advisors will help us to develop our business and the possibilities for development are endless.

Are you our ideal candidate?

You might be if you are; hard working, caring, bright, buzzy, ready to learn, conscientious, brilliantly numerate, fantastically literate and a people person.

You’ll be a quick learner and possess excellent research skills. You’ll have an interest in helping people (within professional boundaries) and an understanding of issues people face in life; e.g. unemployment, disability, debt, caring, children, bereavement, old age, mental health, maternity, fuel poverty, child poverty, housing and social care issues…. to name just a few.

Ultimately, you’ll be self-motivated, energetic and ready to give your all for IncomeMAX, our customers and our partners. 

Training

The training is intensive and you will be expected to study outside of work hours as well as undertaking formal training. A self-starting, positive attitude and dedication will be required to get up to speed quickly so please take this into consideration before applying.

What we promise in return

£21k starting salary with regular pay reviews

In-depth, intensive training

Opportunities for development within a range of sectors including finance, energy, debt management, local authorities, charities and advice

Central London location

Give yourself a head start…

Check out www.incomemax.org.uk

Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/incomemax

Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/income_max

Interested?

To apply send a buzzy email to info@incomemax.org.uk or call us on 0300 777 7772

Immediate start available

Apply today

IncomeMAX CIC

We are… the BBC’s regular benefits experts… 2010 London Leaders… 2010 Go Awards Best Service Finalists… Advice UK members… Social Enterprise Coalition Members

Cancer charities have expressed concerns that changes to Contribution-based Employment Support Allowance (ESA)outlined in the government’s Welfare Reform Bill and being debated by MP’s today will see some people being made worse off a year after being diagnosed with cancer.

The issue relates to time-limiting Contribution-based ESA to just one year for those in the work-related activity group, which is one of two groups of ESA claimants.

The other group of claimants is the support group, which will not be affected by the one-year CB-ESA time limit. In broad terms, the support group of claimants are deemed not to have to undertake work related-activity. If cancer patients do not meet the support group criteria, they are placed in the work-related activity group and therefore may be subject to time limiting of CB-ESA.

The welfare system has always been difficult to access for cancer patients. Some  cancer patients struggle to meet the various disablility/capacity for work related criteria that exists for benefits such as ESA and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) even though they may be gravely ill during treatment and may need lots of rest during recovery.

This will continue to be the case for many cancer patients under the proposed welfare reforms, as benefits such as Universal Credit (replacing Income-related ESA) and CB -ESA will continue to assess people on their capacity for work whilst the Personal Independence Payment (replacing DLA) will still assess care and mobility needs.

The answer to supporting cancer patients adequately through the welfare system is a simple one and it doesn’t need to be complicated.  

Cancer partients should be subject to simplified ESA/DLA criteria, using guidance from a cancer patient’s hospital consultant.

The cancer patient’s hospital consultant could easily make a judgement on their capacity for work and their care/mobility needs and MOST IMPORTANTLY, would also be able to make a judgement on the amount of time the patient needs help and support from the welfare system.

This is not designed to be a time-consuming exercise for the hospital consultant. It would be a simple form which outlines the patients condition as well as confirming the customers inability to work and requirement for care and mobility support. It would also state the amount of time that the hospital consultant expects the patient to need help and support for, up to a maximum of 1 year. If the cancer patient needed help past 1 year, the form would need to be renewed. The form would passport customers into the support group for ESA and to High rate Care DLA, meaning that cancer patients would be properly supported financially until such time that they no longer need that support.

There would be no need to change the rules relating to terminal illness and cancer patients could still be subject to DLA mobility component rules. Claimants would also need to meet the general criteria for ESA e.g. in the case of CB ESA, meeting the contribution conditions.    

Cancer patients would then be supported through the welfare system appropriately and according to their needs and requirements. They would no longer need to meet impossible criteria which does not relate to the nature of their health condition and treatment.

It would make use of existing expert resources; e..g. hospital consultants and there would no be no need for expensive, independent medicals etc.

There is always a danger of over-complicating these issues. IncomeMAX would urge the government to listen and to act on the guidance provided by cancer charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support, to ensure that fair and appropriate welfare support is available to those battling cancer.      

Related news stories:

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13775281

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Ed-Miliband-PMQs-Labour-Leader-Pushes-David-Cameron-On-Welfare-Reform/Article/200906316012286?lpos=Politics_Carousel_Region_1&lid=ARTICLE_16012286_Ed_Miliband%2C_PMQs%3A_Labour_Leader_Pushes_David_Cameron_On_Welfare_Reform

The hard-hitting reailty TV documentary follows the dramatic and emotional highs and lows of daily life for six
different families all living in one large housing scheme in Kilmarnock.

Benefits and tax credits income is always a controversial subject and we’re grateful to The Sun for allowing us to make sense of the type of benefits and tax credits income some of the cast may have been entitled to at the time of filming.

The first series was actually filmed two years ago, but we’ve used current benefit rates in the article to avoid confusion.

Of course it is all just rough guidance anyway, as many of the cast’s circumstances have changed since the programme was filmed. We’d have needed to carry out a full benefit check at the time to establish actual entitlement but it is still a good indicator of the types of payments that are available under the current welfare system.

The Scheme really brings to life many of the issues we see at IncomeMAX every day. The welfare system traps so many people in poverty with seemingly no way out, especially because of the work and couple penalties that exist.

The government have recognised that the welfare system is not working as it should and because of this they are introducing the Universal Credit from 2013, to help people on benefits be better off when they work.

If you haven’t yet seen The Scheme check it out on BBC iPlayer

Check out The Scottish Sun benefits story by Graeme Donohoe.

Launched in April 2011, The Money Advice Service aims to provide free, unbiased advice to help people make the most of their money.

The Money Advice Service was set up by government and is paid for by a £43.7 million (2011/2012) statutory levy on the financial services industry, raised through the Financial Services Authority. Its 2011/2012 business plan budget has over £13 million of staff costs so it is an incredibly large organisation for one so new.

The Money Advice Service is actually the final version of an extensive government re-branding exercise.

The Money Advice Service was originally launched in 2009 as Moneymadeclear, a Financial Services Authority (FSA) service. The Moneymadeclear service at this point was not independent of government.

The FSA was then asked to create a new, independent agency called the Consumer Financial Education Body, or CFEB as it was to be known, to help move the Moneymadeclear initiative forward.

CFEB came into existence on April 26, 2010 and had a mandate from Parliament to develop consumer financial education in the UK and to enhance the public’s understanding and knowledge of financial matters and their ability to mange their own financial affairs. Tony Hobman was named CEO of the new organisation on May 17 2010.

CFEB took on the role of delivering the Moneymadeclear service and in June 2010, the government asked CFEB to develop the new annual family financial health check, which is to launch in spring 2011.

Fast forward to April 2011 and both CFEB and the Moneymadeclear brand have been replaced by The Money Advice Service, a private company limited by guarantee, whose vision is to “enhance people’s lives because they take control of their money as a matter of course.”

The Money Advice Service statutory objectives are to enhance the understanding and knowledge of members of the public about financial matters (including the UK financial system) and to enhance the ability of members of the public to manage their own financial affairs.

The Money Advice Service has an independent Chairman and board appointed by the Financial Services Authority.

The Money Advice Service is free to the millions of people who need practical money advice, whatever their financial circumstances and aims to revolutionise the way people in the UK think about and manage their money, as research shows that if people feel in control of their finances they feel better off, have a greater sense of wellbeing, and are happier.

The Money Advice Service will help people take the right financial decisions and act on them, by giving personalised advice online at www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk,  over the phone on 0300 500 5000, and face-to-face across the UK through a national network.

To book a local face-to-face advice session, customers can call:

England 0333 321 3434

Scotland 0808 800 0118

Northern Ireland 0333 321 2424

Wales 0300 330 0520

Gerard Lemos, Chairman of the Money Advice Service, said at the time of its launch:

“The Money Advice Service is here to make people’s lives easier and better. I firmly believe we can all enjoy life more given the right money advice at the right time in the right way. We’re not here to sell people anything and we won’t charge anyone – we are here to help people take decisions about their money and plan for a better future for themselves and their families.”

From a benefits and tax credits perspective The Money Advice service will only be providing basic benefits and tax credits information to customers and not in-depth expertise. Instead, The Money Advice Service will signpost and refer customers to established networks such as CAB, Advice UK and Law Centres.

For more information about the Money Advice Service please contact:

Nancy Baynes 020 7943 0593

Louise Alissi 020 7943 0429

Kate Humphris 020 7943 0475

pressoffice@moneyadviceservice.org.uk

I really do believe in the power of good advice work. In this day and age of IT, gizmos, gadgets, call centres and websites it is now often quite rare to talk to someone who knows their stuff and can really help.  

Good advice, whether over the telephone or face2face, can really make a difference to peoples lives. I see this every day at IncomeMAX but it is the same at advice centres up and down the country, with dedicated advisors providing excellent customer service and expert advice to people that had nowhere else to turn.

This is why when we hear stories about fabulous advisors we like to highlight their work and tell the world about the great work they do. Step forward therefore, Amina Begum.

Amina, a long-standing NVQ trainee was recently nominated by Advice UK for a medal for excellence for her services to Advice & Guidance.  She was awarded the medal & will pick it up at a swanky presentation evening next week!

However, there’s another award called the ‘people’s choice’ which members of the public have to vote for and Advice UK would like people to vote for Amina. IncomeMAX have voted for Amina and we’d very much like our customers and partners to do the same.

Here’s the link where people can vote for Amina via Facebook: 

http://apps.facebook.com/contestshq/contests/113133/voteable_entries/19773534

We spoke to Advice UK’s leading learning consultant and brain friendly training guru Kerry Herbert about Amina’s success. “AdviceUK NVQ candidate Amina has already been awarded a prestigious Medal for Excellence and has now been nominated for the ‘People’s Choice award’ through City & Guilds. She started as a volunteer, worked her way through the ranks and is now supporting others to achieve their own goals. She’s a shining example of the heights that young people can reach with a bit of encouragement & self belief & is a massive inspiration to others!”

“Please vote for her! Only takes a few seconds!”

To find out more about Advice UK’s NVQ and training programmes visit www.adviceuk.org.uk

The checklist is a great way of remembering all of the various benefits & tax credits that exist. At IncomeMAX our advisors use the checklist with every customer, to ensure we have considered every single benefit, tax credit or scheme available.

A2 wall posters will be available soon.

Download the 2011/2012 Benefits & Credits Checklist

If you are having trouble paying your water bills, it is important to address the problem.

Here is a quick IncomeMAX guide to the help available.

Water Sure Scheme (for those with a water meter only)

Many households can benefit from having a water meter, as you will only be billed for the water that you use.

But some households with meters face hardship because they need to use large amounts of water for essential purposes. To help support customers in this situation, there is a Water Sure scheme available.

Customers with a water meter who are accepted onto the Water Sure scheme have their new charges capped at the same amount as the average household bill.

To be eligible for Water Sure, you or a member of your household must receive one of the following benefits or tax credits:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Benefit
• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit (except families in receipt of the family element only)
• Pension Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

And in addition either:

Receive child benefit for three or more dependent children

Or:

• You or any member of your household have one a medical conditions which results in you having to use lots of water.

Note that certain medical conditions can only be accepted if the condition uses significant amounts of water and is supported by a signed certificate issued by a doctor or registered practitioner.

Water Direct (Water bills paid direct from benefit payments)

If you’ve got unpaid bills from your water supplier, and you receive:

• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Employment and Support Allowance
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

then you can ask your benefits office to pay the supplier directly out of your benefit. This system is called Water Direct. It covers your current fuel use and also pays off a certain amount of your unpaid bill each week. Contact your water supplier to apply.

Charitable Trust Fund Payments

Some water companies have set up trust funds that may be able to help you pay your fuel bills if you are in financial difficulties. Contact your water supplier to find out if they run a scheme and how to apply.

Special Tariffs and other support

Many water companies provide other special schemes and tariffs to help you with your bills.

Southern Water for example have a New Start Scheme, where if  the customer is able to start paying what is owed for the current year by regular instalments, Southern Water will clear the same amount from the arrears.

Ofwat, the regulator for the water industry is currently working with water suppliers on possible tariff options for vulnerable customers.

Always contact your water supplier to find out the various options available to you.

If you need further advice, contact your local advice service or CAB.

Helpful Links

Water.org.uk

http://www.water.org.uk/home/resources-and-links/paying-for-water/help-from-water-companies

Advice Guide

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_world/consumer_affairs/water_supply.htm

Direct.gov

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/DebtsAndArrears/DG_10025592

Ofwat

http://www.ofwat.gov.uk

The materials are a comprehensive guide to the welfare changes to be implemented in 2011.

Benefit and tax credit changes 2011

Welfare to work support 2011

Benefits rates

Tax Credit rates

Let me know if they have been useful.

Look out for IncomeMAX Benefits checklist and iBenefits updates late March/Early April 2011

IncomeMAX are pleased to announce the launch of our SUPER DUPER INSULATED HOMES PROJECT in partnership with Osborne Energy.  

The IncomeMAX Super Duper Insulated Homes Project assists low income homeowners and privately renting tenants to get FREE INSULATION for their home.

Insulation helps keep your home warm, reduces your energy use and helps the environment.

Insulation also saves you money by cutting the cost of your energy bills.

The Super Duper Insulated Homes Project will also help you to MAXIMISE YOUR INCOME by providing expert benefits and tax credits advice.

Working in Partnership with Osborne Energy

The Super Duper Insulated Homes Project is delivered in partnership with Osborne Energy, one of the UK’s leading delivery partners for the energy efficiency sector.

FREE INSULATION ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To qualify for free insulation you’ll need to meet the Super Priority Group criteria.

You must be;

• be aged over 60, or
• be a disabled person, or 
• have a disabled child, or 
• have a child aged under 5 

AND be in receipt of;

• Pension Credit, or
• Child Tax Credit (income below £16,190), or 
• Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance (IB JSA), or
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (IR ESA) which includes a work-related activity or support component, or
• Income Support

To find out if you are eligible for free insulation call the IncomeMAX Super Duper Insulated Homes Project on 0300 777 777 2 or email info@incomemax.org.uk