How We Provide Housing Support Community Advocate Shepway– Sarah Hudson Deal Centre for the Retired Ltd  

Our Services - Housing Information & Advice Community Advocacy Deal Centre for the Retired Ltd  

Information & Advice Housing Options (remaining at home, moving in with family, sheltered accommodation, private renting, Kent Homechoice, residential care) Benefit maximisation – Housing Benefit, Council Tax (incl. CT and disability reduction schemes) Warm Homes Discount Care Assessment – referral to Social Services Adaptations – referral to Care Navigator or East Kent Housing Handyman services – referral local business/Family Mosaic Safety & Security at home Grants and funding for ongoing or one off purchases Keeping in Touch Scheme (KIT calls) Deal Centre for the Retired Ltd  

Case Study – Client 1 Referred by concerned relative who did not believe C1 was coping in his current living situation financially Outcomes: Successful application for CT reduction, Housing Benefit reducing personal payments by 30%. Activation of winter fuel payments, personal debt cancelled Successful application for Attendance Allowance – cleaner Referral to Family Mosaic to arrange adaptions to bathroom and living room Deal Centre for the Retired Ltd  

Community Advocacy Key areas of support Benefit appeals Support in choosing housing options Care assessment and placement decisions Complaints – landlord, East Kent Housing, Social Services, care homes, neighbour disputes Kent Homechoice bidding process Ensuring requests upheld in residential and non residential situations Financial – e.g. support with utility companies, care cost decisions Deal Centre for the Retired Ltd  

Case Study – Client 2 Referral by Age UK Folkestone Landlord not fixed clients toilet for 6 weeks Outcomes: Toilet was fixed within 2 days following formal request Upheld tenants right to be informed of landlord visits to property and reinstated use of garden and personal items Instigated fair rents review and rent increase reimbursed Successful AA application to support help at home Client felt at ease in home and financially secure Receives weekly KIT call Deal Centre for the Retired Ltd  

Questions? Deal Centre for the Retired Ltd