With Talk Money Week underway, Social Justice Secretary is encouraging people to check
what financial support they're eligible to receive and might be
missing out on, including pension credit.
Since 2022, Welsh Government programmes and support for people in
Wales, targeting help at those who need it the most, and putting
money back in people's pockets, has been worth almost £5bn.
The Here to Help - Claim What's Yours campaign, Single Advice
Fund, Discretionary Assistance Fund, support with council tax and
Help to Stay are some of the programmes which continue to be key
in supporting people.
Between April 2023 to March 2024, Here to Help - Claim What's
Yours advisors have helped over 36,800 people, with over 120,000
issues, of which more than 9,600 issues were relating to debt
problems.
The Single Advice Fund, which was introduced in January 2020, has
helped more than 280,000 people deal with over 1.1 million social
welfare problems. Those receiving help were supported to claim
additional income of £137 million and had debts totalling £38.5
million written off.
Earlier this year, the Welsh Government announced £12m per year
for three years from April 2025 for services that help people
manage the cost of living and resolve problems with their
housing, welfare benefits and financial commitments. An extra
£300,000 will also provide more free training targeted at
frontline workers to help their service users.
Social Justice Secretary, said: “It's vital that people in
Wales, including pensioners, claim every £1 that they're entitled
to.
“Welsh Government programmes have been key in supporting people
across Wales, helping put money back into people's pockets and
providing crucial advice and help when needed.
“We have also been working closely with the UK Government to
increase the take-up of pension credit which will unlock access
to a number of other benefits too.
“Support is available, and I encourage everyone to seek the
financial support they're eligible to receive.”
Simon Hatch, Director at Citizens Advice Cymru said: "We know
many people across Wales are continuing to struggle to afford
everyday living costs and essential bills, and with winter fast
approaching it will be a worrying time for many, but there is
help available. Our local Citizens Advice offices across Wales
have already helped more than twice the number of people access
advice on Pension Credit compared to this time last year.
"We can help check that you're receiving every penny you're
entitled to, which could make this winter more manageable."
The Welsh Government is encouraging people to find out what
support they could receive by contacting Advicelink Cymru free by
phone on 0808 250 5700 or visiting the Citizens Advice website. For
those who can't hear or speak, on the phone can type what they
want to say by calling 18001 then 08082 505 720 via Relay UK.
