Peter Kelly Chief Executive of the Poverty Alliance was on BBC Radio Scotland this week, talking about eradicating child poverty.
You can listen to the full interview here. https://buff.ly/4fYN3k5
Greener Kirkcaldy are hosting community meals every Wednesday, 4pm and a 5pm sitting in their central Kirkcaldy HUB. The meals are on a pay as you feel basis and an ideal opportunity to meet with other members of the community.
The first session of the New Year is Wednesday 22nd January. Booking is required for all dates. Book now
The following Benefit Take Up Campaigns will be run in 2025 . More specific information and campaign packs will be distributed via the usual networks as the campaign launch dates approach. If you or your organisation or team don't usually get these please contact Audrey at this e mail to become part of these campaigns and support the benefit maximisation work . awhyte@carfonline.org.uk>
Funeral Support Payment- Launch End of January until end of February Funeral Support Payment - mygov.scot
Council Tax Reduction- Targeted campaign utilising LIFT data- March Council tax reduction | Fife Council
Pension Age Disability Payment ( replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland)- Fife launch, 24th March Pension Age Disability Payment - mygov.scot
Best Start Foods- Take up and usage campaign- provisional date April to May Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods - mygov.scot
Policy in Practice has evaluated the impact of the 3 Pension Credit campaigns that have operated in Fife and have estimated a reduction of underclaiming of pension credit of £1.2 million .
Policy in Practice | Benefits calculator, Data analytics for local gov
The report is still to include data from the final stage of the last Pension Credit Campaign ( September - December 2024 data) and although this is a significant achievement in only one benefit, there is still work to be undertaken to reduce this figure further and to support our elderly population across Fife.
Additionally, ,the report figures are based solely on Pension Credit underclaiming and does not include any other entitlement that individuals may also secure as part of the benefit check process such as Council Tax Reduction, Attendance Allowance etc.
If you would like any more information on any of the items, please get in touch and thanks to Audrey Whyte from Citizen's Advice and Rights Fife for preparing this week's update
Contact: Sheena Watson
Email: sheena.watson@fife.gov.uk
