The global recession has affected everyone in one way or another. The consequences of the recession have been very serious leaving countless numbers of people in stressful and difficult circumstances. The UK government are determined to help people who have been deeply affected by the recession. Below is a simple list of helpful pages that provide simple and constructive advice to help you cope with the recession.
Real Help Now
The unprecedented international financial crisis and the recession it has caused around the world is having a real impact
on individuals, families and businesses throughout the UK. Here in Scotland, the Scottish and UK Governments are
working together to make sure that help is provided to those who need it. This booklet is produced by the UK Government and details all the help and sources of information that are available to families
and businesses. Real help for homeowners with difficulties paying their mortgages, for people who have lost their jobs,
small businesses with cash flow problems or large businesses needing working capital.
The UK Government has intervened to stabilise the banking system and protect people’s savings. It is boosting the Scottish economy by £2bn this year. Both governments are taking steps to ensure viable businesses get access to the capital they need and the financial system can lend responsibly again to support Scottish businesses.
The UK Government is also boosting the economy by putting money into people’s pockets, through cuts in VAT and income tax and extra money for pensioners. This comes on top of tax credits and social security payments targeted at those most in need.
This booklet brings together the real help that is available now in Scotland. It will help individuals, families and businesses find the support and assistance that is most appropriate for them.
The Real Help Now booklet is a practical guide that the government has produced to help people through the recession. For help with keeping your home, with training and skills, and with jobs and benefits click here to view the Real Help Now leaflet. To view the Real Help Now leaflet for over 60's click here.
Job Seekers Allowance
If you are unemployed or have recently been made redundant you may qualify for Job Seekers Allowance. Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) is the main benefit for people of working age who are out of work.
Who is eligible?
If you're out of work or working less than 16 hours a week on average, you may be able to get Jobseeker's Allowance.
You must be:
capable of working
available for work
actively seeking work
below state pension age
How does it work?
Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance
You may get contribution-based Jobseekers Allowance if you have paid or been credited with class 1 National Insurance (NI) contributions in the relevant tax years. Self employed contributions will not generally qualify you for contribution-based Jobseekers Allowance.
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
This is based on your income and savings. You may get this if you have not paid enough National Insurance contributions (NICs) (or you've only paid contributions for self-employment) and you're on a low income.
JSA for 16 and 17 year olds
If you're unemployed and 16 or 17 years old you may be able to get income-based JSA for a short amount of time.
For example, this could be if you:
are forced to live away from your parents
will find it very hard to live without Jobseeker’s Allowance
are part of a couple responsible for a child
How much do you get?
Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance
You get a weekly rate according to your age:
Age 16 - 25: £50.95
Age 25 or over: £64.30
Your payments might be reduced if you're getting a pension.
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
The maximum weekly rates are:
Single people aged 16 - 24: £50.95
Single people aged 25 or over: £64.30
Couples and civil partnerships (both aged 18 or over): £100.95
Lone parents (aged under 18): £50.95
Lone parents (aged 18 or over): £64.30
Your payments might be reduced if you receive income from part-time employment. You'll get less if you have savings over £6,000. If you have savings over £16,000 you probably won't qualify.
Your payments might also be reduced if you're getting an occupational or personal pension. For contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance Jobcentre Plus do not take into account the first £50 of your pension.
If your partner or civil partner works 24 hours or more a week on average, you can't usually get income-based JSA (contribution-based JSA isn't affected). If they work less than 24 hours, it may affect how much you get.
Your payments might be reduced if you're getting a occupational or personal pension:
Contribution based Jobseeker's Allowance a £50 disregard is applied before JSA is reduced.
Income based Jobseeker's Allowance, which is means-tested, has no disregard.
How to claim
Call 0800 055 6688 (8.00 am - 6.00 pm Monday to Friday). A textphone service is available if you have a speech or hearing impairment on 0800 023 4888.
How it's paid
Jobseeker's Allowance is usually paid every two weeks in arrears by Direct Payment into your bank, building society, or National Savings account.
What to do if your circumstances change
You must tell Jobcentre Plus as soon as possible about any changes in your circumstances. For example, this could be if you:
move house
start any kind of work, training or a university or college course
become ill or go into hospital
go on holiday in Great Britain or abroad
gain capital (including savings and investments) for example property is left to you
In many cases you'll still be able to claim JSA, but if you don't report a change in circumstance you could lose your benefit.
How to appeal
You may ask for an explanation or apply for a reconsideration of any decision once it has been made. Information on how to appeal is normally included in the decision letter.
What else you need to know
Help for the newly unemployed, including professionals and executives
When you make your claim to JSA you will meet with a Jobcentre Plus personal adviser who will also talk to you about the extra help that might be available to overcome job hunting difficulties, for example:
access to specialist help for things like writing a CV, preparation for interviews, confidence building and work skills
help to look for work if you haven’t had experience of looking for a job for some time
help if you are seeking professional or executive jobs
help with your reading, with maths or with your English
information about how to get help with improving your skills, linked to local job opportunities
help with one-off expenses that might help you get back to work quickly, for example, the cost of buying formal clothes for an interview or basic tools such as paintbrushes needed to take up a job where an employer will not provide these items
This support will depend on your circumstances and what is available locally.
If you don't find work
If you’re still out of work after six months, you’ll be asked to attend a ‘restart interview’ with a personal adviser. The purpose of this meeting with your personal adviser is to make sure:
you are doing all you can to find work
Jobcentre Plus are giving you the help you need
Extra support at six months
Jobcentre Plus can tell you about the extra help you might be able to get, depending on your circumstances and what’s available in your local area. This can include:
access to jobs where an employer receives £1,000 recruitment subsidy and in work training support depending on location
help to set up your own business or become self-employed, including financial help and specialist advice
the training that is available if you need to improve your skills or develop new ones that will increase your job prospects
voluntary work you could do while seeking full time work. Volunteering will help you keep your skills up to date or gain new skills and experience that will help you find and keep a job
Help to get back to work
If you are looking for work, need tips on applying for jobs and interviews or want to enhance your skills, you'll find a range of support and advice at the "Back to work" website. The website includes information on facing redundancy, ways to find work, tips on selling yourself and skills and training advice. If you wish to visit the website click here.
Housing
Many people have been affected in their homes by the recession. Falling house prices and repossessions of homes are causing people major concerns. For information regarding repossessions and mortgages, homelessness, council housing and evictions, and retirement planning click here.
East Renfrewshire Council's website also provides information on the following:
Affordable Housing
Benefits and grants
Council Tax
Housing associations
Housing Register
Housing Strategies
Adapting Homes
Council Housing
Housing Advice
Housing Finance
Housing Services
Improvements and Repairs
To view these pages click here.
Citizens Advice Bureau
A Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is one of a network of independent charities throughout the UK that give free, confidential information and advice to help people with their money, legal, consumer and other problems. The Citizens advice service is free and is committed to confidentiality, impartiality and community accountability.
The contact details for the Citizens Advice Bureau in the East Renfrewshire are below:
Citizens Advice Bureau
216 Main Street
Barrhead
G78 1SN
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9.30am till 3.30pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Telephone Number: 0141 881 2032
Fax Number: 0141 881 3660
Jobcentre Plus
The Jobcentre Plus has been designed to help people into employment. Jobcentre Plus typically provides resources to enable the unemployed to find work and a system to advertise job vacancies for employers. It also provides jobsearch help and information about training opportunities for those who have been registered as unemployed for some time. Part of the organisation is engaged in administering claims for benefits such as Jobseeker's Allowance, Incapacity Benefit and Income Support.
The Barrhead Jobcentre Plus can only be used by residents from Barrhead, Neilston and Uplawmoor.
Barrhead Jobcentre Plus
20 Paisley Road
Barrhead
East Renfrewshire
G78 1NF
Telephone: 0141 800 2100
If you live in anywhere else in the East Renfrewshire area, the Jobcentre Plus in Langside is your designated centre.
Langside Jobcentre Plus
152-158 Battlefield Road
Glasgow
G42 9JT
Telephone: 0141 800 3100
Financial Services Authority
The Financial Services Authority(FSA) are an independent body that regulates the financial services industry in the UK.
The FSA have been given a wide range of rule-making, investigatory and enforcement powers in order to meet four statutory objectives. In meeting these, the FSA are also obliged to have regard to the Principles of Good Regulation.
The FSA summarise their Statutory Objectives and Principles of Good Regulation in three Strategic Aims:
Promoting efficient, orderly and fair markets;
Helping retail consumers achieve a fair deal; and
Improving business capability and effectiveness
To view the FSA's website click here.
Real Help Now
Real Help Now is a practical guide that the government has produced to help people through the recession. For help with keeping your home, with training and skills, and with jobs and benefits click here to view the Real Help Now leaflet. To view the Real Help Now leaflet for over 60's click here.
NHS Credit Crunch Stressline
Worrying about finances can take a lot of a person. Stress can easily build up which can lead to mental and physical problems. To view the NHS Credit Crunch Stressline website click here.