We’re here to help you, says council
CARMARTHENSHIRE Council says it is working hard to make sure residents are aware of financial help and household support available to them as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite.
The local authority is assuring people that it is there for them in these tough economic times.
The council has a dedicated team of advisers who are there to listen and help people apply for the support, services and money that they may be entitled to.
There are two ways of accessing this support:
■ Online – by visiting the council’s Claim What’s Yours Page where you can or access information on a wide range of support schemes or arrange to speak with an adviser.
■ In Person – by visiting one of the council’s Hwb centres in Carmarthen, Llanelli and Ammanford and speaking to advisers.
Since April of this year, Hwb advisers have had more than 400 applications for advice and support from residents in the county and have helped with applications for a range of council and third-party support schemes, including blue badges for disabled parking, council tax discounts, Personal Independence Payments and grants to help parents purchase school essentials, such as school uniforms.
In addition to providing support through its Hwb centres and the Claim What’s Your Page, Carmarthenshire Council will be meeting with local partners and stakeholders to discuss and share information, along with best practice, so we can work towards providing a truly multiagency support package for vulnerable households in Carmarthenshire.
Deputy council leader and cabinet member for homes Cllr Linda Evans said: “Now, more than ever, it is important that people know what support and benefits are available to them as the increasing cost-of-living affects us all.
“Paying for food, energy, fuel and the mortgage, to name only a few rising costs, is at the forefront of all of our minds, so it is extremely important that people can access whatever assistance there is available to them.
“The process of applying for different support can be overwhelming and that is why we have set up Hwb teams, at Llanelli, Ammanford and Carmarthen for people to call in and speak with an adviser.
“Our advisers can guide you through the various processes of applying for support and benefits and they might be able to suggest other branches of support that you might not be aware of and this service is free of charge.”
Cllr Evans added: “The council has recently started to distribute the Welsh Government’s Winter Support Scheme and, later this month, we will be hosting a cost-of-living event to bring together a range of partner agencies to better understand what else can be done at a local level to support those being hit hardest by the cost-of-living crisis.”