1. www.hertsdirect.org Workshops for Children’s Centre Managers Support available from the Money Advice Unit (MAU) for families making the transition into work March 2013

2. www.hertsdirect.org MONEY ADVICE UNIT Who we are What we do…

3. www.hertsdirect.org Who are we? We are part of HCC’s Health and Community Services (HCS) and work with all age groups in order to: Increase take-up of benefits and tax credits Provide economic wellbeing, through accurate advice and information on benefits and debt to organisations in Herts Advise on changes in social security and debt legislation

4. www.hertsdirect.org What we do Benefit take-up and casework Advice - benefit and debt Information Training and talks Hertsdirect Policy advice

5. www.hertsdirect.org Who do we help? HCC staff Health staff Voluntary organisations Statutory organisations Individuals CABs

6. www.hertsdirect.org Support for families: Information directly accessible to the public – signpost to website www.hertsdirect.org/benefits Adviceline - for professionals only (email or telephone) Training/ talks to professionals Talks to user groups Income maximisation projects (specific criteria) Not a frontline telephone/advice service for the public

7. www.hertsdirect.org Information for families: Extra money for families booklet Family finance project Website for up to date information Factsheets

8. www.hertsdirect.org

10. Family Finance project Started December 2011 Broxbourne and Stevenage Advice workers able to take on some benefits and low level debt casework Targeted training for front line workers

11. www.hertsdirect.org MAU Information Factsheets/leaflets e.g. –Extra Money for Families –Help with Household Bills –Benefits for Carers –Extra Money for Older People –What to claim if you are ill or disabled –In and Out of Work –Benefit rates www.hertsdirect.org/benefits 01438 843456

12. www.hertsdirect.org MAU Income Maximisation Projects HCS Project Carers Project Children with Disabilities Project

13. www.hertsdirect.org MAU Income Maximisation Projects Help to claim targeted benefits: Attendance Allowance Disability Living Allowance Carer’s Allowance Means-tested benefits e.g. Pension Credit

14. www.hertsdirect.org HCS Project Only available to older and disabled people referred by HCS via ACSIS or Health staff by phone or email Referrals accepted for under 60s receiving: homecare, daycare, enablement or direct payments We offer help with claiming: Disability Living Allowance Carers Allowance and Means-tested benefits –and

15. www.hertsdirect.org HCS Project Over 60’s for help with claiming: Disability living allowance Attendance allowance Carers Allowance

16. www.hertsdirect.org HCS Project This project cannot help: under 60s who are not getting services; referred to the CAB’s Disability Benefits Project for help with DLA over 60s who need help with means tested benefits only; referred to the Pension Service for help with Pension Credit tel: 0800 99 1234 over 60s who need help with DLA or attendance allowance who are not referred by HCS or Health; referred to the CAB’s Disability Benefits Project as above

17. www.hertsdirect.org Carers Project For carers under 65, particularly those: Receiving a carers assessment from HCS/Health Referred from Carers in Herts For help with claiming: Disability Living Allowance Carer’s Allowance Means-tested benefits

18. www.hertsdirect.org Children with Disabilities project For families of children who may be eligible for help with claiming Disability Living Allowance

19. www.hertsdirect.org How to make a referral Via ACSIS for all HCS staff For Health staff Phone MAU on 01438 843456 or E mail mauadmin@hertscc.gov.uk

20. www.hertsdirect.org MAU Advice Line (staff only) Tel: 01438 843444 Mon-Fri 9.30am-12.30pm E mail: moneyadvice.unit@hertscc.gov.uk

21. www.hertsdirect.org MAU Training and Talks Rolling programme of training or customised sessions on Welfare benefits, debt, financial inclusion Talks to user groups, staff and volunteers Ring 01438 843456 or e-mail moneyadvice.unit@hertscc.gov.uk