Council to hold Winter Welfare event this month to raise awareness of financial support available

Council to hold Winter Welfare event this month to raise awareness of financial support available

If you are struggling financially, pop along to our Winter Welfare event at Brentwood Town Hall on Wednesday 29 January between 10am and 3pm. Our Revenue and Benefits Outreach & Engagement Team will be on hand to help find out what support is available to you and what benefits you may be entitled to. There is no appointment needed, just drop in.

The Revenue and Benefits Outreach & Engagement team are also able to help with:

- Finding out what you are entitled to, including Pension Credit
- Discretionary or Exceptional Hardship payment enquiries and applications
- Council tax enquiries (arrears, disregards & exemptions)
- Council tax reduction/support applications
- Housing benefit and universal credit enquiries and applications
- Housing and homelessness enquiries and applications
- Signposting to other agencies for mental health support
- Help with debt and money advice.

Councillor David Kendall, Chair of the Finance & Resources Committee at Brentwood Borough Council, said: “We appreciate the impact the changes made to the Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners has had on our residents, particularly those on low or fixed incomes.

“We also understand that this could be the first time residents have found themselves struggling financially, and you may be unsure what support is available to you or how you can access that support. That is why we are holding our Winter Welfare event, to help raise awareness of the assistance we can give, how we can help you find out what benefits you may be entitled to – and to help you apply for them.

“Over the last few months, our Revenue and Benefits Outreach & Engagement Team have been getting out and about to help raise awareness of Pension Credit and the other financial assistance available, at our Sheltered Housing complexes and drop-in events around the borough. If you are struggling financially and you aren’t able to come along to our event on 29 January, please do get in touch with us to find out what benefits and support is available to you.”

You can also get in touch with our Revenue and Benefits Outreach & Engagement Team by calling 01277 312500 or visit www.brentwood.gov.uk/findhelp