Ryedale citizens vulnerable to the cost-of-living crisis could access practical help and advice along with grant or loan support.
Working with Citizens Advice North Yorkshire and Community First Credit Union, we are helping set up a series of schemes, funded by a one-off revenue fund/grant, that will ensure the best route to Citizen Advice services and Credit Union funding and provide opportunities for Community First Credit Union small loans and an area wide outreach program.
Citizens Advice North Yorkshire partnership
Cost-of-living scheme and Hardship Fund
Citizens Advice North Yorkshire will provide an information and advice service which is:
- free
- confidential
- independent
- impartial
- open to all, regardless of the Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics and in accordance with the Citizens Advice guidelines on equal opportunities
Cost-of-living advice
A dedicated Generalist Adviser from the Citizen’s Advice will be available for cost-of-living advice every Tuesday at Ryedale House, Malton YO17 9HH.
They will run a weekly drop-in session held between 9.30am and 12.30pm, with no appointment necessary. Just inform reception that you are there for the living cost-of-living drop in.
Alternatively, for anyone unable to attend the drop-in, telephone advice can be provided by calling contacting us and asking for assistance regarding the cost-of-living scheme and a call back will be arranged.
The service will undertake a triage assessment of your circumstances because of the current cost-of-living crisis and provide advice or a wide range of assistance based on that specific case.
With the consent of the client, the adviser will work in partnership with the local authority across housing, benefit and social services departments to maximise the income and assistance to vulnerable residents. Onward referrals to other partner organisations can be made as appropriate.
Hardship Fund
Administered by the above adviser, our Hardship Fund is for residents and families facing severe financial hardship and who cannot afford essentials – including food, energy bills, water, electricity and housing.
The grant may fund payments for fuel outside of traditional gas/electric supplies (e.g. coal, oil, LPG gas) as well as items that could help heat the home and contribute to energy efficiency – helping Ryedale keep warm as we live through the cost-of-living crisis.
Linkage and liaison with the Warm and Well project will assist with heating of cold homes, combatting fuel poverty, accessing available payments/vouchers; all to maintain people in their current housing and facilitating the payment of rent as a priority.
Eligibility criteria:
- Applicants must have lived in Ryedale for at least six months.
- If there is more than one adult or family in the household, the application must come from the person responsible for council tax.
- Applicant should be over 18 to apply, but we will accept applications from 16- to 18-year-olds living independently because we know that not all young people are able to remain at home.
- They must be able to prove that they are in severe hardship or financial crisis.
In addition
- not have savings that can be relied upon to meet their needs
- not be excluded from applying for public funds on the basis of immigration status
- be without sufficient resources which would in turn cause serious risk to their own, or their family’s health or safety or well-being
- not be eligible to receive or have received assistance for the requested funding or support from other public funds
or
- they need essential help with an emergency (e.g. illness/emergency travel costs)
Residents may need to provide documents to support their application. This would include items such as:
- identification
- proof of address
- proof of savings
- income
- and any benefits
Community First Credit Union partnership
Outreach Programme
Winners of multiple Edward Filene Credit Union Excellence Awards (including Best Credit Union in Great Britain and Ireland, and Demos Financial Inclusion Champion Award), Community First Credit Union brings a comprehensive suite of focused services to negate financial inclusion and improve financial resilience.
These range from banking savings, budgeting and loans services for individuals, families, and businesses. Other services include for both businesses and their employees together, a payroll saving scheme which encourage staff to save but it also allows them access to loans at a reduced interest rate.
There are other innovative solutions at Community First, for example a tenancy support service better protecting social and private landlords and their tenants to overcome and prevent barriers to housing.
Community First, the community bank, delivers its services within our community online and through its call centre (to talk directly to someone, or through a video appointment if preferred), but also, and critically, through an outreach provision, which is physically present across the whole of the Ryedale area.
Initially, Community First will be present every Wednesday morning at Ryedale House in Malton; it also being the main point of contact for individuals to visit who require or think they may require their services.
As part of this Outreach programme, Community First will also be visiting numerous organisations, employers and community centres to further expand their work across all of Ryedale – ensuring they are able to assist all, regardless of where they live in the area.
With the direct support from the Council, Community First will provide residents access to:
- savings
- low interest loans
- budgeting services.
This is to help further reduce the risk of our communities being tied in with high interest debts, or even worse, being the targets of illegal money lenders (loan sharks).
Community First Community Bank also work closely with the Illegal Money Lending Team, who are funding savings incentives for the general public by offering £25 to anyone who opens an account with Community First and meets a minimum savings requirement.
Interest-free loans
Community First Credit Union, supported directly by us, are now able offer interest free loans up to a maximum of £500.00, to those people who are:
- struggling for food
- paying their energy costs
- purchasing essential items owing to the cost-of-living increase.
All current or any new account holders at Community First who live in the Ryedale area have the potential to take advantage of this scheme. It is very straightforward to apply for these loans, and any applicants must meet affordability criteria. This service will operate while funds are available.
Below are ways in which to apply for an interest free loan.
Who can apply?
Anyone can apply for a loan as long as you meet the following criteria:
- you are an account holder or become an account holder at Community First.
- you are 18 years of age or over.
- you have an established electronic payment into your Community First savings account – this can be done in numerous ways such as a standing order, payroll deduction from your employer, having your wages or benefit payments paid directly into the account.
How to apply
If you’re not already a member of Community First, you can join at your nearest service point or by completing our online application below (select the ‘Join Us Today’ option).
Further information on this scheme can be requested by email at info@communityfirstcu.co.uk or by calling on 03030300010.
Community First Credit Union will start to operate an outreach function across the whole of the Ryedale area. There will be a staff member present during Wednesday mornings at Ryedale House. Then each Wednesday afternoon, Community First will visit different organisations, employers, outreach centres, etc. to engage and work with officers and the community generally more effectively.