B48s folkestone support for parents, children and babiesShepway Family information project, folkestone kent
Children's Centres seperator Pregnancy seperator Parenting seperator Benefits, Debt & Housing seperator Local Health seperator KCC Families and Education seperator Local Child Care seperator B48s Learning Zone seperator Kidz Zone seperator       

Benefits, Debt & Housing Support

Welcome to our benefits and debt help department.
On this page we aim to help and provide information on the benefits available both locally and nationwide.

Benefits

Child Benefit

Child Benefit



Make sure you and your family get what you're entitled to.







Child Benefit – Date of next payment

Child Benefit – Date of next payment



If you are already getting Child Benefit every four weeks you can check when your next payment is due.







Child Maintenance Options

Child Maintenance Options



Find out about your options for making the maintenance arrangement best suited to your circumstances.







Child Support Agency - Child Maintenance

Child Support Agency - Child Maintenance



We make sure parents who live apart from their children contribute financially to their upkeep by paying child maintenance.







Independent Case Examiner



The Independent Case Examiner (ICE) was set up in 1997 to investigate complaints about the Child Support Agency (CSA).







Child Trust Fund

Child Trust Fund



Child Trust Fund (CTF) is a savings and investment account for children. Children born on or after 1 September 2002 will receive a £250 voucher to start their account. The account belongs to the child and can't be touched until they turn 18, so that children have some money behind them to start their adult life.







Crisis Loan



If you need financial help with an emergency or disaster you may be able to get a Crisis Loan; the interest-free loan from the Social Fund that you pay back.







Housing Benefit

Guardian’s Allowance



Guardian's Allowance is a tax-free payment for people who are bringing up children whose parents have died. In certain circumstances you may qualify for Guardian's Allowance where only one parent has died.







Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit



If you're on a low income, whether you're working or not, and need financial help to pay all or part of your rent, you may be able to get Housing Benefit. Find out more, including who is eligible and how to claim.







Income Support

Income Support



This is extra money to help people on a low income.







Job Seekers Allowance

Job Seekers Allowance



Jobseeker's Allowance is the main benefit for people who are out of work. If you are eligible it is paid when you don't have a job and are looking for work.







Health in Pregnancy Grant

Health in Pregnancy Grant



You can now claim a one-off, tax-free payment from H M Revenue & Customs (HMRC) if you're a mum-to-be who's at least 25 weeks pregnant. The payment is called 'Health in Pregnancy Grant' and is to help you prepare for the birth of your baby.







SureStart Maternity Grant

SureStart Maternity Grant



This is a one-off payment to help pay for things you need for a new baby if you are on a low income. The grant is tax-free and does not have to be paid back.







Statutory Maternity Pay

Statutory Maternity Pay



To help you to take time off work both before and after your baby is born, you may be able to get Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), a weekly payment from your employer.







Maternity Allowance

Maternity Allowance



If you're pregnant or have a new baby but don't qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance (MA).







Tax Credits

Tax Credits



Making it easier to find out if tax credits can help you and your family.







Tax Credits Calculator

Tax Credits Calculator



Using this calculator will help you to find out roughly how much tax credits you might be entitled to.







Bereavement Benefits

Bereavement Benefits



There are three types of bereavement benefit. These may be payable on the death of a husband, wife or civil partner. Whether you are entitled will depend on the National Insurance contributions your partner paid.







Kent Benefits Partnerships

Kent Benefits Partnerships



An organisation set up by Kent County Council. We are here to inform people about Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit and to help people apply for these benefits. We can help you find out whether you might get help over the telephone. We can come and see you to help fill in the forms and see the documents we need in support of your form.







turn2us

turn2us



turn2us is a new charity helping people to find out about the charitable grants and state benefits they may be entitled to.
turn2us, founded by Elizabeth Finn Care, aims to address this problem by increasing awareness and improving access to the help available. As well as obtaining information through their website – turn2us.org.uk – people can also apply directly to charities for financial help.







Citizens Advice Bureau



The online CAB service that provides independent advice on your rights

  • practical, reliable, up-to-date information on a wide range of topics, including benefits, housing, employment and debt, consumer and legal issues
  • details of reliable sources of advice if you need more help, including your local CAB
  • information in English, Welsh, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, Urdu and Chinese
  • useful factsheets to print off






Debt

Dealing with debt problems

Dealing with debt problems



If you're in debt and you are finding it hard to cope, it's important to deal with the problem straight away - the longer you ignore your debts, the worse the situation becomes.







Managing Debt

Managing Debt



Information from DirectGov on managing debts and arrears.







Credit Action

Credit Action



If you are looking for advice about money management you are in the right place. Credit Action is a national money education charity and this website will tell you everything you are looking for.







Citizens Advice Bureau

Citizens Advice Bureau



The online CAB service that provides independent advice on your rights

  • practical, reliable, up-to-date information on a wide range of topics, including benefits, housing, employment and debt, consumer and legal issues
  • details of reliable sources of advice if you need more help, including your local CAB
  • information in English, Welsh, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, Urdu and Chinese
  • useful factsheets to print off






Samaritans

Samaritans



Your local Samaritans office is:
Address: 9 Cambridge Gardens, Folkestone, Kent
Telephone: 01303 255000







Relate



Relate offers a wide range of services for couples, families and individuals. We support people through all stages of their relationships and you can access our support on your own or with others, face-to-face, on the phone or on the internet.







Homeless

Shepway District Council Homeless Persons Unit (HPU)

Shepway District Council Homeless Persons Unit (HPU)



SDC's HPU is located at:
Address: Coast and Countryside Housing Services, Shepway Housing Centre, 3-5 Shorncliffe Road, Folkestone, CT20 2SQ
Telephone: 01303 851700 between 08.30 - 17.00 (Monday to Friday)






Homeless UK

Homeless UK



Information on over 9,000 services - hostels, day centres and other advice and support services for homeless people and those at risk of homelessness.






Folkestone Rainbow Centre

Folkestone Rainbow Centre



A personal crisis can be more difficult to cope with than a physical illness. It can lead to depression, isolation and hopelessness. By offering well trained counsellors, the Rainbow Centre provides vital help and support at this important time in people's lives. Through listening, sharing and supportive understanding, burdens lighten, the pain can be faced and confidence gained for the future.







Shelter

Shelter



Your local Shelter office is:
Address: Kent Housing Aid Centre (Shelter HAC). Bull Yard, High Street, Ashford, Kent, TN24 8SN
Telephone: 01233 610669







Samaritans

Samaritans



Your local Samaritans office is:
Address: 9 Cambridge Gardens, Folkestone, Kent
Telephone: 01303 255000









Leave a comment

Name
Comment
Security Code security image
(Write in the number in the image above)