Welcome supports our resettled families to receive benefits and manage their finances, encouraging independence and entry to work at the appropriate time. This includes:
- Checking welfare entitlement and supporting initial benefit applications
- Liaising with the Job Centre Plus, ensuring that the family know what is expected of them, and staff are aware of necessary adjustments such as provision of an interpreter
- Helping the family to plan a monthly budget, and consider any costs which may be appropriate for Welcome to provide support in
- Supporting the family to open a bank account and practise using an ATM and online banking
- Putting utility and council tax bills into the family’s name and setting up payment methods
- Working with the family to resolve issues that arise with bills
- Helping family members to take part in a better-off calculations to find out how part-time and full-time work impacts benefit entitlements
- Supporting those looking for work to create a UK CV, discussing transferrable skills and international qualifications, and support in researching the UK job market
- Guiding families through finding information on additional support available, e.g. cost of living schemes, through government and local council websites