Social services and support programmes: Assistance for people without economic resources

Places relating to the assistance for people without economic resources

• Jobcentres Plus is part of the Department of Work and Pensions, which provides support services for people of working age.
  • The UK has around 800 of them.
  • You can find your local Jobcentre at find-your-nearest-jobcentre.dwp.gov.uk.
• Shelters are places where homeless people can spend the night.
  • It’s possible to find shelters online at homeless.org.uk.
• Food banks are charitable organizations that distribute food to those who have difficulty purchasing it to avoid hunger.
  • There are now about 2,000 food banks across the UK.
  • In 2019 around 1.6 million people used a food bank.
  • You can look for them online or ask at the nearest Citizens Advice. Eventually, you can try at the local council.
• NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations) are organizations acting for the benefit of the chosen interest and they do not try to make a profit. Some of the NGOs that can help include:
  • The Crisis which offers direct help for homeless people, deliver emergency packages and food. Visit their site at crisis.org.uk.
  • The Big Issue Foundation help in finding housing, getting job interviews, opening bank accounts, acquiring new skills for work and much more. Visit their site at bigissue.org.uk.
  • Centrepoint offers mental and physical support and helps young homeless people find accommodation. Visit the organisation’s site at centrepoint.org.uk.
• Parishes are small administrative districts typically having its church and a priest or pastor. You can ask for some help or advice here.

Services offered by institutions and organisations

• Economic aid:
  • Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly – or twice a month for some people in Scotland. Find more information at gov.uk/universal-credit
  • You can check benefits for families at gov.uk/browse/benefits/families
• Housing:
  • If you are about to lose your home or you are already homeless, you can apply for help and advice from the local council.
  • Shelter foundation offers advice, information, representation and advocacy to people who are homeless, in unsuitable or insecure housing, or at risk of becoming homeless. Other foundations in which people can seek help are, for example, The Big Issue Foundation, Centrepoint, Depaul UK, St Mungo’s.
  • The government can hold some special programs to make houses more affordable. You can check founding programmes at gov.uk/topic/housing/funding-programmes

Exercises

External link to Social services and support programmes: Assistance for people without economic resources exercises (514).