The campaign is continuing with the message of check and claim pension credit before Sunday 22nd September in order to also qualify for a fuel payment.
This message will shortly change to the next stage of campaign activity where the claim deadline is the 21st of December. This is to promote a 3-month backdating rule that applies for pension credit. This was not promoted initially to encourage Fife residents to apply as soon as possible.
The press release can be found here: Are you entitled to Pension Credit? - If you've got a letter from us you probably are | Fife Council
A copy of the version for 3rd sector and other agencies can be found attached to this email should you wish to share this across your contacts.
A number of legacy benefits have already migrated over to Universal Credit, most recently a process for Tax Credit claimants. The next benefit to move over will be Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and it was expected to commence this month. We don't have an exact date for this, but a targeted campaign .
It will be possible to identify specific households for the targeted campaign activity which will support a more general awareness campaign message.
Within a managed migration process, it is important for claimants to take action when notified and before their deadline date in order to secure any transitional protection entitlement.
Campaign activity aims to ensure this additional financial sum is secured for as many Fife residents as possible. Citizens Advice Scotland predict in excess of 500K Scottish ESA claimants are digitally excluded and will require support to migrate to Universal Credit and so are at risk of missing out on the transitional protection money.
Each year, hundreds of organisations in Scotland campaign against poverty.
Within the Our Fife movement there is lots of activity is planned including a Fife Council social media promotion of the Fife Benefit Checker and Our Fife Toolkit, briefing sessions and local community engagement events and workshops.
Extra sessions around poverty, income maximisation and what help is available in Fife, are planned
Please use the link to book your place on this session
Tuesday 8th October – Fife Benefit Checker & Our Fife Toolkit
MS Teams 14.00-16.00
Please use the link above to book your place on this session
Wednesday 9th October – Cost of Living Drop-In Session (30 mins)
MS Teams 10.00 -10.30
Please use the link above to access the session. No need to book. The session starts promptly at 10am
Thursday 10th October – Poverty Awareness Information Session
MS Teams 11.00-12.00
If you have any events or information you want to promote, please get in contact with gail.stepo@fife.gov.uk
Since launch in September 2019 the payment has provided £51.1 million to over 26,000 people across Scotland to help pay for funerals.
The average Funeral Support Payment is now £2,065, providing crucial financial support at what is a difficult and stressful time. It is available to people living in Scotland who are responsible for paying for a funeral and receiving certain benefits or tax credits.
The money can be used towards the costs of a burial or cremation and other expenses such as funeral director fees and flowers. Applications can be made up to six months after the date of the funeral.
The five-year milestone comes at the same time as legislation has been laid in the Scottish Parliament, which will make improvements to the way the benefit is delivered.
The regulation changes laid before the Scottish Parliament are being introduced based on feedback from past recipients and stakeholders, including the funeral industry, charities and bereavement support groups.
The proposed changes include providing assistance for funerals abroad in exceptional circumstances, refining the approach to deducting funds from the deceased’s estate and introducing more flexibility for funerals outwith the deceased’s local authority area.
Details mygov.scot/funeral-support-payment or by calling Social Security Scotland’s specially trained bereavement team free on 0800 182 2222.
We have public transport, public parks, public libraries, even public wifi…but what are public diners ?This report linked below makes the case for a new piece of public infrastructure: state supported, affordable restaurants serving healthy, tasty food to the general public.
Go here for the full report: bit.ly/PublicDinersReport
Public diners - Nourish Scotland
The first few years of life lay the foundations for a child’s lifelong emotional and physical wellbeing. Join the Big Lottery to hear from grant holders on their approaches to supporting children and families: how they foster connections, help families learn and develop together, and how they’re reaching out to marginalised families.
16th October 10 am
Register to join us. https://ow.ly/b0Kh50Tp0pe
Contact: Sheena Watson
Email: sheena.watson@fife.gov.uk
