Help through the benefit changes

moneyA series of events to support people facing changes in benefits or finding work are taking place across South Leeds starting next Friday (23 October 2015) in Cottingley.

The events are being staged by the Inner South Community Committee and will bring together agencies that can offer advice on benefits, job search and CV writing, training, money advice, mental health support and food banks.

Cllr Kim Groves, lead member for Jobs & Skills said:

“These are certainly challenging times as we face five more years of austerity. But people don’t have to face this alone, there are organisations across the city who are here to help.”

The government plan £12 billion of cuts to the welfare budget over the next five years. There will be changes across the board from lower tapers for Working Family Tax Credits to scrapping Housing Benefits for under 25s. The workshops will offer people help to understand how the coming changes will affect them.

Unemployment in Leeds has fallen, but remains above the national average. There is concern that many of those still unemployed face a complex range of issues including mental health issues and debt problems. These drop in sessions are designed to help people find the right support for their issues.

The drop-in sessions will run as follows:

Fri 23 October       Cottingley Community Centre                         11am-1pm
Mon 26 October    St Matthews Community Centre, Holbeck    1-3pm
Tue 27 October     BITMOs GATE, Belle Isle                                       1-3pm
Wed 28 October   Hunslet Methodist Church, Telford Terr       10am-12pm
Fri 30 October       St Cross Church, Middleton                               1-3pm

For more information contact southeast.ast@leeds.gov.uk or call (0113) 247 5536.

 

 

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