Help the
|
|
Homelessness is not just about rough sleeping. Hidden homelessness is a problem too. Many are forced to stay in temporary accommodation, shelters and hostels; making it difficult to accurately assess the extent of the problem. Based on statutory figures, an estimated 288,470 households in England were owed assistance from councils in the 2019/2020 period.
Many in the UK are homeless or under threat of homelessness because they battle to navigate the complexity of the welfare system (see the case study below). We help by advocating on behalf of those facing impending evictions or those who are already homeless. We do this by contacting the relevant organizations on their behalf, gathering evidence, lodging complaints, filling in forms, phoning and following up relentlessly. We not only deal with homelessness, we deal with many other related issues such as debt relief, income and social care to stabilize lives going forward.
Many in the UK are homeless or under threat of homelessness because they battle to navigate the complexity of the welfare system (see the case study below). We help by advocating on behalf of those facing impending evictions or those who are already homeless. We do this by contacting the relevant organizations on their behalf, gathering evidence, lodging complaints, filling in forms, phoning and following up relentlessly. We not only deal with homelessness, we deal with many other related issues such as debt relief, income and social care to stabilize lives going forward.
Your donation helps in the areas of homelessness, debt, income, housing, health care, disability and social care.
|
We spend an average of 36 hours assisting each person in need per annum, because we find it isn't just about the one issue, but multiple underlying issues. We help in the following areas: homelessness, debt, income, housing, health care, disability and social care.
A holistic approach ensures your donation to our charity has maximum impact. |
Case Study: carer faces homelessness as she battles bureaucracy
Multiple challenges
A carer who had difficulty reading and writing faced destitution and homelessness after the breakdown of her marriage. She faced the additional challenge of caring for an adult with mental health needs. She sought help from Grace Advocacy after the suspension of her job seekers allowance because of a clerical error. Missing receipts were demanded by the DWP and she was threatened not only with suspension of her allowance but a ‘claw back’ of previous payments. Unfortunately she no longer had copies. In addition, her Housing Benefits payments for rent to be suspended. Facing homelessness and a large debt, she approached Grace Advocacy.
Action taken
Outcome
Four months after they had been suspended, the client’s Job Seekers Allowance and associated Housing Benefit were reactivated and back paid to the carer and her landlord.
A carer who had difficulty reading and writing faced destitution and homelessness after the breakdown of her marriage. She faced the additional challenge of caring for an adult with mental health needs. She sought help from Grace Advocacy after the suspension of her job seekers allowance because of a clerical error. Missing receipts were demanded by the DWP and she was threatened not only with suspension of her allowance but a ‘claw back’ of previous payments. Unfortunately she no longer had copies. In addition, her Housing Benefits payments for rent to be suspended. Facing homelessness and a large debt, she approached Grace Advocacy.
Action taken
- Grace Advocacy wrote to the client’s housing association and local authority explaining her situation.
- Grace Advocacy then helped the carer gather the required evidence from her employers and visited the local DWP. Despite this visit, the evidence failed to reach the relevant department in the DWP.
- Grace Advocacy helped the carer lodge a complaint with the local Job Centre.
- When that failed to trigger action, Grace Advocacy helped the carer lodge a complaint against the DWP Processing Office in Belfast.
- This complaint triggered a request for an additional form to be filled in and further evidence to be provided – even though the DWP already had this evidence on file.
- Grace Advocacy helped the client complete the necessary form and submit it, only to be told that the client had been provided with the wrong form and a different form was required by a different department. Grace Advocacy helped the client complete and submit the new form.
Outcome
Four months after they had been suspended, the client’s Job Seekers Allowance and associated Housing Benefit were reactivated and back paid to the carer and her landlord.
help the homeless with your gift or donation by Clicking on the button below
By clicking on the button below, you will be taken to our support page which provides a wide variety of giving options.
