A charity’s welfare advice service has helped more than 800 people claim more than £1 million in benefits.
Disability Can Do, based in Pontllanfraith, started its advice service nine months ago with funding from the Big Lottery Fund.
Kate Howell, Welfare Support Services Manager with Disability Can Do, said: “Many disabled adults and their carers have found the recent benefit changes very stressful and not known which way to turn to ensure they have the money they need to live on. Disability Can Do has provided a Big Lottery funded service for the last nine months helping people to manage this stress and navigate their way through the changes.
“During this time we have supported over 800 people in the Caerphilly County Borough area with benefits advice, income maximisation and confidence building. Our team of staff and volunteers have helped individuals to understand their benefit entitlement and to claim over £1m in unclaimed benefits.”
Disability Can Do’s advice service has also helped more than 100 people, through bespoke training, to boost their confidence and self-esteem.
The charity offers benefit advice surgeries every Monday between 2pm and 4pm in Caerphilly Library. This is a drop-in service taking initial enquiries and operates on first-come, first-served basis.
The organisation will also be launching a Citizen Advocacy Service shortly.
Advocates are specially-trained volunteers who stand side-by-side with individuals in order to ensure they have a voice. The service will offer both long and short-term support to help people.
For more information call 01495 233555 or visit www.disabilitycando.org.uk.