Understand what financial inclusion is Recognise the impact it has on people’s lives Understand your role in addressing financial

inclusion Have a knowledge of the resources and

specialist services which are available Know how to signpost and refer effectively

Time to find out what your money personality is?

A household income that is 60 % or less of the average (median) household income.

(Single person £129pw, Single parent one child £179pw, couple 2 children £321pw)

3.5 million (27%) children below line

7.9 million (21%) working age adults below line

1.6 million (14%) Pensionable age adults below the line

(2011 /12 figures after housing costs)

All about ensuring everyone has the opportunity to access financial services and products needed to participate fully in modern-day society.

Access to mainstream

financial services

Financial capability

Accessible financial and debt advice

Income maximisation

Access to affordable credit and

savings

The ability of individuals to understand their own financial circumstances, along with the motivation to take action.

A household is in fuel poverty if they spend 10 % or more of their net income on energy costs.

Severe fuel poverty is classed at 20 % or more

Welfare Reforms / Benefits Advice

Grants - Discretionary Assistance Fund, Water Assist, Energy grants

Utilising recycling / Reuse schemes (CREST / Freecycle)

Enterprise, volunteering and back to work schemes

How much in benefits and tax credits goes

unclaimed within Conwy and

Denbighshire?

£76.8 million!

In groups take 5 minutes to discuss how financial inclusion fits into your role.

Situations when you might encounter citizens with an issue

Any previous experiences you’ve had around financial inclusion issues

In group’s A, B and C

◦ Group A – 5 minutes to discuss what factors might make someone at risk of experiencing financial inclusion issues

◦ Group B – 5 minutes to discuss the benefits of and barriers to financial inclusion

◦ Group C – 5 minutes to discuss the impacts of financial exclusion

Offer basic support

Signpost

Refer

Signposting

Is about the citizen taking (or being given) the responsibility for contacting other organisations to help them resolve their problem. Support from the worker may involve identifying what the problem is, discussing alternative sources of help and providing necessary information

Referring

Is about the worker taking active responsibility for contacting another organisation to organise

necessary support for the citizen

Identify financial

inclusion issue

Identify more complex issue

(debt / benefits)

Identify low level issue

Offer Support Discuss options

and provide signposting information

If consent is given make referral to

appropriate organisiation

Revisit – what is the outcome? Is further support

required?

Low Level Provision

(Level 1)

Information services, e.g. signposting, and

providing information for the client to

pursue such as leaflets or verbal

information.

Medium Level Provision

(Level 2)

Advice services e.g. benefit eligibility check.

Help with form filling.

High Level Provision

(Level 3)

Specialist advice, e.g. due to a client’s

multiple and complex needs or in-depth

pieces of work specialist legal knowledge is

required to resolve the issue.

:

Organisations to refer to

Citizens Advice Bureau Conwy

Conwy Councils Welfare Rights Unit

Conwy Councils Benefits Unit

Conwy Councils Council Tax Unit

Citizens Advice Bureau Denbighshire

Denbighshire Welfare Rights Team

Denbighshire Revenues and Benefits

Benefits Advice Shop

Shelter Cymru

North Wales Credit Union

Banking – all the benefits of regular bank range of different accounts for different needs

Savings – (Payroll deduction, Christmas Club Accounts, Child Trust Funds) - dividends paid instead of interest average 1.5%

Loans – minimum borrowing of £50 - £10,000 very competitive guaranteed best rate on £2000 -£7000 loan.

“APR stands for the Annual Percentage Rate of Charge. You can

use it to compare different credit and loan offers. The APR takes

into account not just the interest on the loan but also other

charges you have to pay, for example any arrangement fee. All

lenders have to tell you what their APR is before you sign an

agreement. It will vary from lender to lender”

£400 loan over 30 day

• Wonga you repay £527.15 (5853% APR)

• Credit Union repay £404.63 (@26% APR)

Welsh Government fuel poverty scheme

If a property is F or G rated and someone in the home is on means tested benefits they qualify for improvements

Call 0808 808 2244 or visit www.nestwales.org.uk

Free impartial, independent advice on money matters

Online advice and resources

Telephone support

Face to face appointments can be arranged

Downloadable templates and resources

Phone: 0300 330 0520 Email:moneyadviser@citizensadvice.org.ukWeb: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

Welsh Government supported

Digital avenue for the Discretionary Assistance Fund

Advice and guidance on money matters

Turn2us are a charitable

service which helps people

access the money available

to them – through welfare,

benefits, grants and other help.

Accessible website has been designed to help you find appropriate sources of financial support, quickly and easily, based on your particular needs and circumstances.

Contact – Pat Cripps

pat.cripps@elizabethfinn.org.uk 01676 541 654

An introduction to financial inclusion When to signpost and when to refer Access to advice and services

• Mapping exercise• IT provision• Additional signposting Information

Income maximisation• Welfare reforms overview• Grant information• Benefit Rates• Fuel Poverty

Financial capability• Budget sheet• Cost of credit• Priority / priority debts• Bailiffs

Useful Links Glossary

Visit www.moneymadeclear.org to download updates

In groups pick a short case study each and based on the information provided outline the action you would take

Sign Post Refer

Minor issue Engaged in process

Person will not consent to a referral

More complex and /or serious issue

Person not recognising that there is an issue / problem.

Additional needs

Confident that the person will act on information given

Motivated to take action

Consents to referral being made

It is not always black and white as to whether you should signpost or refer. Here are some considerations to support your decision making:

On post it notes

As a result of attending todays session how will you put it into practice?