Guidance for learners enrolled with Adult Learning Wales
Financial Wellbeing
Cost of living
The current cost of living crisis is leading to many people worrying about making ends meet. To support financial well-being there are various sections to different resources to provide you with knowledge and information during this time of financial unrest in the UK.
Crisis Support
- Discretionary Assistance Fund
Urgent assistance to people in financial crisis. - Fuel Bank Foundation
Support for households in Wales that pre-pay for their fuel and are at risk of disconnection. - Food Banks by Area
The Trussell Trust’s list of their food banks. - Get Help with the Cost of Living
Outlines the help that is available for dealing with the increased cost of living.
Help with Household Costs
- Help to Stay Scheme
To help people who are struggling to pay their existing mortgage. - Citizens Advice – Managing Your Mortgage
- Discretionary Homelessness Prevention funding
Allocated to Local Authorities to help individuals and families prevent or quickly relieve homelessness. People wanting to find out more about accessing this support should speak to their local authority. - Council Tax Reduction Scheme
Means tested and provides financial assistance to low-income and vulnerable households. - Warm Homes Programme
Can assist people on low incomes who cannot afford to install energy efficiency measures or low carbon heating solutions. - Money Saving Boiler Challenge
How to save cash with a single change to your boiler settings (for gas combi boilers only).
Maximising Income
- Here to Help
Supporting people to access the financial support they are entitled to. - Money and Pension Service Budget Planner
- Pension Credit
From this year the Winter Fuel Payment will be linked to the receipt of specific means-tested benefits. As such, for many older people in Wales, Pension Credit will be the key to accessing their entitlement to the Winter Fuel Payment .
People wishing to speak to an adviser should call 0800 702 2020, or can talk to an adviser online. - Credit Unions
Offer savings and affordable loans to people in Wales including to people with a poor credit history who otherwise would be refused a loan and are at risk of being driven to borrow from illegal money lenders .
Help with Costs of the School Day
- Free School Meals
People should speak to their local authority to find out more about accessing this support. It is important that families accessing FSM for primary pupils also register their eligibility as this will result in additional Pupil Development Grant funding for the school. - Schools Essentials Grant
Support with the cost of school uniforms and school kit. - Education Maintenance Allowance
Helping learners from low-income families to stay in education and training with an allowance. People wishing to access this support should speak to their local authority.
Other Support
- Safe and Warm Places
Places within the local community where people of all ages can go to access services and advice, participate in social activities or simply get a warm cup of tea with company. - Money Guiders Training
A professional development programme which includes e-learning and is designed to help organisations and individuals to confidently talk about money with their customers and give safe, effective guidance. - Healthy Start Scheme
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food, milk and infant formula. - Fuel Poverty Awareness Day
- Safe, warm and well guide for winter health and wellbeing | Royal Voluntary Service (PDF, 5.3 MB)
This booklet includes:- Official NHS health advice
- Practical information on appliance and gas safety
- National emergency services and contacts
- Advice to support people during the cost-of-living crisis
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