This is such a difficult time for everyone across Northern Ireland, however it is a terrible time for those on the lowest incomes (both in and out of work) who have endured a decade of austerity.
The cost-of-living crisis is escalating in front of our eyes. Deaf and disabled people cannot wait for action to be taken. We have been severely impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. This is on top of extra costs that we as disabled people already face.
‘Advice NI were contacted by a client who was a single parent and seeking advice on whether they had continued entitlement to Working Tax Credit working 16hrs per week, or if they needed to claim Universal Credit.
Advice NI conference heard from Neil Couling who was appointed Director General for the Universal Credit programme in GB in 2014, amid fears about the impact of the new benefit on low income households in Northern Ireland.
This “Understanding, Avoiding & Challenging Sanctions” Guide is designed to assist frontline generalist advisers in their work in supporting benefit claimants who are at risk of being sanctioned or who have been sanctioned.
Backing the “Keep Me Posted” campaign, Kevin Higgins, Head of Policy at Advice NI joined Judith Donovan CBE from Keep Me Posted to discuss the crucial need for continued paper-based correspondence for Universal Credit claimants.
The Advice NI Welfare Reform and Support Project (WRSP) continues to deliver Specialist and Targeted advice to help ensure that there an extra layer of assistance to clients who may be deemed more vulnerable due to their circumstances or disabilities.
