Health and Wellbeing Hub Crisis and emergency support Advice and information

In a crisis you may be unable to afford the things you need to live such as food, gas, electricity or housing. This leaflet is to help you if you are in need of emergency support in a crisis.

www.leics.gov.uk/emergencyadvice What next?

Speak to a professional such as your GP, social worker, housing support officer or contact your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau (CAB). Some of the help that you can access (e.g. food banks, organisations that provide furniture and household goods), might need you to be ‘referred’ by a social worker or other professional, so one of the first things you should do is seek their advice.

There are lots of organisations that can provide assistance. This leaflet doesn’t include all organisations - there are many more that can help. If your situation is not covered here, speak to a professional such as your social worker or the CAB. Where can I get help?

Citizens Advice Bureau Tel: 0300 330 1025 Job Centre Plus Tel: 0845 6043719 Health and Wellbeing Hub Tel: 0116 305 1510 Domestic abuse helpline Tel: 0300 303 1844

Leicestershire County Council Tel: 0116 305 0004 Council Tel: 0116 275 0555 Charnwood Borough Council Tel: 01509 263151 Council Tel: 01858 828282 and Bosworth Borough Council Tel: 01455 238141 City Council Tel: 0116 454 1000 Melton Borough Council Tel: 01664 502502 North West Leicester District Council Tel: 01530 454545 and Borough Council Tel: 0116 288 8961 Food

Food banks can supply food parcels to people in need. Most food banks require a referral or food vouchers from health care professionals, agencies such as CAB, Jobcentre Plus and local council offices.

Gas, electricity and water suppliers

If you are having difficulties paying for your gas and electricity contact your supplier immediately. Their contact details will be on your gas or electricity bills. Alternatively contact your local CAB.

Grants to pay off your fuel and water bills Some gas and electricity companies have set up independent charitable trusts which give grants to some of their customers to help them pay for gas and electricity arrears. • British Gas Energy Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan Trust (Local project team) 12 Bishop Street, Leicester, LE1 6AF Tel: 0116 251 9068 • Energy Saving Trust Tel: 0300 123 1234 • Severn Trent Trust Fund Tel: 0121 355 7766 If you are in need of emergency top up for your fuel please contact your local council. Furniture and household goods

If you receive means tested benefits and need to purchase non-emergency items for your home which you cannot afford from your regular benefits payments (for example, furniture and electrical appliances) you may be eligible for a Budgeting Loan. Contact your local Jobcentre Plus. Local furniture reuse organisations or charities have furniture and appliances at affordable rates. Some offer discounts to referrals. Below are just a few examples of organisations that can help so look out for others in your local area including charities like LOROS and the British Heart foundation who also sell second hand furniture. • Work Link Project 43 Regent St, Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 0BA Tel: 01455 634449 • SOFA – Suppliers of Furniture and Appliances Towles Building, Clarence Street, , LE11 1DY Tel: 01509 262557 • Melton and District Furniture Project The Warehouse, 3b Park Road, , Leicestershire, LE13 1TT Tel: 01664 410380 • REACT (Rural Enterprise, Advice and Care Team Furniture Project) The Marlene Reid Centre, 85 Belvoir Road, , LE67 3PH Tel: 01530 512454 / 510515

Benefits

If you need financial support whilst awaiting your first benefits payments, either a new claim, a first payment of an increased benefit or a first payment since a change in benefit circumstances you may be eligible for a short term advance. Contact your local Jobcentre Plus.

Housing and Rent

If you are finding it difficult to pay your rent or council tax contact your local council for Housing Benefit advice and assistance. Their contact details will be on your council tax bill. Alternatively independent advice can be given by; The Bridge Housing Advice Service Tel: 01509 260500 Shelter Housing Aid and Research Project Tel: 0116 254 6064

Advice about money or debt problems

These organisations may be able to offer support in managing finances and dealing with debt: • Leicestershire Citizen Advice Bureau 3rd Floor, 60 Charles Street, Leicester, LE1 1FB Tel: 0300 330 1025 • Charnwood Citizen Advice Bureau Woodgate Chambers, 70 Woodgate, Loughborough, LE11 2TZ Tel: 0300 3301025 • Helping Hands 66 - 68 Blaby Road South, South Wigston, Leicester, LE18 4SD Tel: 0116 278 2001 • Clockwise Credit Union 1 Saint Nicholas Place, Leicester, LE1 5LB Tel: 0116 242 3900 • Money Advice Service Tel: 0300 500 5000 • Step Change Tel: 0800 138 1111 • National Debt Line Tel: 0808 808 4000 • Christians Against Poverty Tel: 0800 328 0006 • Pay Plan Tel: 0800 280 2816 Mobile calls: 0207 760 8980

Relationship Breakdown

If you are having difficulties as a result of a family breakdown these organisations on the Domestic Abuse database may be able to help. • Leicestershire Domestic Abuse Helpline Tel: 0300 303 1844 • National Domestic Violence Helpline Tel: 0808 2000 247 • Women’s Aid Tel: 0808 2000 247 • Men’s Advice Line Tel: 0808 801 0327 • Childline Tel: 0800 1111 If you require this information in an alternative version such as large print, Braille, tape or help in understanding it in your language, please contact 0116 305 1510.