Through our work with women, we know that many families have welcomed the £20 uplift in Universal Credit over the last year to cope with the rising cost of living through energy, housing, and other increases. To some, £20 might equate to a round of drinks, while for those on Universal Credit £20 could provide food for the family for the week. Therefore, the impact of the reduction could prove more than most households will be able to sustain

It is well documented the wide reaching impact, both financially and mentally, that COVID-19 has had on communities and individuals and concern is widespread that the proposed cuts could force those on Universal Credit into an even worse financial and mental state.

Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a 107% increase to women in employment accessing Universal Credit, this statistic just shows how crucial Universal Credit is to people and cutting it by £20 a week could have long-lasting consequences on many people’s lives.

Across the United Kingdom, nearly 800,000 more women who aren’t in employment are accessing Universal Credit than was the case before COVID-19 entered the world stage. As for the Liverpool City Region, in-work poverty is currently at a record high – with 38,000 employed women now accessing Universal Credit, compared to 25,000 men. These statistics demonstrate just how pivotal Universal Credit is to our society, and with so many people welcoming the £20 increase over the last year, the impact of reducing it again could be enormous.

At The Women’s Organisation we want women and those in our community effected by the cuts to know that there are organisations you can reach out to for support.  If you are struggling at any time as a result of the cuts to Universal Credit below are some useful services that are on hand to help you navigate difficulties you may face, and please know our team are always here to be a listening ear and offer signposting and support.

 

Housing Concerns

Shelter

Call Shelter if you need urgent housing information from an expert housing adviser. You should use this line if you are homeless, at risk of homelessness or in a bad housing situation.

Shelter England/Scotland 0808 800 4444 (open 365 days a year – weekdays 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, weekends 9.00 am to 5.00 pm (England); weekdays 9.00 am to 5.00 pm (Scotland))

Debt Advice or Money Worries

StepChange

If you need free advice on problem debt, you can call StepChange. Their team of debt experts can help you find the solutions you need.

0800 138 1111 (weekdays 8.00 am – 8.00 pm, Saturdays 8.00 am to 4.00 pm)

Liverpool Community Advice

Finding the best solution your debt issues for the people of Liverpool and Merseyside.

They members of the Greater Merseyside Money Advice Partnership (GMMAP), a partnership of 9 voluntary sector agencies providing debt advice services across the Liverpool City Region.

0151 662 0059

Raise

An independent charity that provides free, confidential, high quality and training around welfare benefits, debt and money management.

0151 459 1556

General

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice can provide advice on a range of different issues such as welfare rights advice to ensure you are claiming all the support you are entitled to, personal finance and debt advice, help with disputes with employers or landlords, and help accessing support for those in need. Calls to this service cost the same as landlines.

03444 111 444

Your local Citizens Advice bureau can also provide localised information and advice.

Navigating Issues Relating to Tax

TaxAid

TaxAid provide support to vulnerable, low income taxpayers who can’t resolve tax issues with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). They can help you understand parts of the tax system, pay the right amount of tax and resolve crises when things go wrong.

0345 120 3779 (Monday to Friday 10.00 am – 12.00 noon)

Single parents

Gingerbread (England, Northern Ireland and Wales)

Gingerbread is a charity helping single parents. If you cannot find the information you need on their website, you can call their helpline.

0808 802 0925 (Mondays 10.00 am – 6.00 pm; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 10.00 am – 4.00 pm; Wednesdays 10.00 am – 1.00 pm and 5.00 – 7.00 pm; the helpline is closed on all public holidays)

Mental health

Mind

The Mind Infoline provides information on a range of issues including mental health problems, medication and advocacy.

0300 123 3393 (9.00 am to 6.00 pm Mondays to Fridays except bank holidays)

Food banks

North Liverpool Foodbank

Supporting the community in north Liverpool for help with food.

0151 226 3406

South Liverpool

Supporting the community in north Liverpool for help with food.

07760718640

Olio

Olio is a mobile app for free food-sharing, aiming to reduce food waste. It does this by connecting those with surplus food to those who need or wish to consume such food.

Download for free from your App Store.

Enterprise/Employment

The Women’s Organisation

Call The Women’s Organisation if you are a woman wanting to understand how you could explore self-employment of a way of increasing income, or if you are looking for help to access employment opportunities or simply grow in confidence and understand where to start.

Call on 0151 706 8111 – Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm or email hello@thewo.org.uk