Advice services in West Norfolk are changing
Since 1 July 2016, residents of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk have been able to access free, confidential information and advice services from three local providers, specialising in housing advice, debt advice and general advice.
The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk recently tendered for specialist debt and housing advice services which will sit alongside the general advice service which receives funding from Norfolk County Council. The agencies involved in this innovative arrangement are:
Shelter - provides debt advice, with funding from the borough council. Shelter's debt advice services may be able to help you with debt problems including dealing with:
• housing arrears • utility bill debts – gas, electricity and water • debt collection companies or creditors • hire purchase, credit card or loan arrears
West Norfolk Advice Hub – will provide housing advice as a consortium of local advice providers, led by Community Action Norfolk (CAN), with funding from the borough council. This will include advice and information for people at risk of becoming homeless, or for people who are trying to get on the housing list or into social housing.
Norfolk Citizens’ Advice – will provide generalist advice
and a point of access and triage to specialist advice through funding from
Norfolk County Council. They will cover a full range of advice as before. They
can provide advice and assistance whether you are facing an immediate crisis or
just considering your options.
Residents will be able to access the services in a number of ways – telephone, internet or Skype. West Norfolk Advice Hub and Shelter will be able to meet people face-to-face through bookable appointments either at the Borough Council Offices or at the Shelter offices in Hospital Walk. Norfolk Citizens' Advice - offer drop-in sessions at published times. Find them at Hanse House, South Quay, Kings Lynn. PE30 5GN CONTACT DETAILS: -
Information about how to access advice services is available on the Borough Council’s website or directly from each of the three agencies - see below for details
Citizens Advice Bureau – King's Lynn or e mail public@ncab.org.uk West Norfolk Advice Hub – King's Lynn or call 01553 223113 or e mail housing@westnorfolkadvicehub.org.uk There are a host of other organisations and agencies which
provide advice, but these three receive funding, from Norfolk County Council or
the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, to provide specific free
advice to residents who may be struggling with debt or having issues with
housing. See also - Family Action Family Action transforms lives by providing practical, emotional and financial support to those who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation across the country. For further information see the Family Action website. Hardship Payments If your benefit payment is stopped, and you don’t have enough money to
live on, you may be able to get a hardship payment. This is a reduced
amount of Job Seekers Allowance. Call 0800 169 0310 if you want to understand more about hardship payment Further information here
There are a host of other organisations and agencies which
provide advice, but these three receive funding, from Norfolk County Council or
the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, to provide specific free
advice to residents who may be struggling with debt or having issues with
housing. _____________________
Other useful contacts include - Benefits - Advice Review team Debt - National Debtline Help at home - Careline Working through us, Careline Community Service is here to support older and disabled people by providing round the clock assistance at the push of a button. Care & Repair - Care & Repair Care and Repair West Norfolk is the local Home Improvement Agency (HIA) for King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, Breckland and Fenland.We are committed to enabling anyone with disabilities, older people and those on low incomes, to live independently in their own homes in comfort, warmth and safety. Homeless - Homelessness (Borough Council website) King's Lynn Winter Night Shelter The King's Lynn Winter Night Shelter provides overnight accomodation for the homeless. Operate during the winter months - opening in 2019 on 31 October. Contact: Telephone 01553 776109. Find it at 5 St. Ann's Fort, King's Lynn PE30 1QS. Live independently - Lily
NOTE. March 2020. Due to exceptional demand there is unfortunately a waiting list for referrals to see an advisor. However, there is a lot of information and advice available on the Lily website. |
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