Ima conference 2011 emma aldridge, turn2us

Working Together to Maximise Income

Emma Aldridge – Projects Manager, Turn2us

IMA – assuring quality in the money advice profession17/05/11

What will be covered

• The need for income maximisation services• About Turn2us• Benefits checking and applying• Introduction to grant-giving charities • Grants searching and applying• Income maximisation information and resources

for advisers• Summary and Q&A

The need for for income maximisation services

• 13.5 million people in UK living in poverty including 3.9 million children

• Up to £16.8 billion in benefits unclaimed

• £366 million per annum available in charitable grants

• If faced with a sudden loss in income– Only 40% of people asked would seek to claim

welfare benefits– Only 3% of people asked would seek help from a

charitable source (Turn2us & YouGov survey Jan 2010)

People have the money they need to thrive, be healthy and participate fully in society

Turn2us Mission

Turn2us helps people in financial need access the money available to them – through benefits,

grants and other financial help

Turn2us Vision

• People in financial need:Those who could benefit from access to

benefits, grants and other support

• Intermediaries:Support workers – public, private, voluntary

• Decision makers/Influencers:Charitable fundsNational/local governmentMediaAcademics/policy bodiesKey influencers

4

Intermediaries

Decision makers/Influencers

People in financial need

Audiences

How to access Turn2us

www.turn2us.org.uk

Turn2us Helpline

Freephone 0808 802 2000Open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday

The Helpline Association accredited

Purpose:• Source of further support for those that

can’t/don’t use website• For public and intermediaries• Language Line and Text Relay offered• Help intermediaries set up and manage their

‘My Turn2us’ accounts

Benefits checking and applying

Benefits under-claimed

£16.8 billion of welfare benefits

go unclaimed

Why benefits are under-claimed

• Lack of awareness• Do not know what they are entitled to• Fear of form filling• Stigma• Language • Lack of access to information about

sources of support• Resistance/embarrassment about

asking for help

Benefits

• The Turn2us Benefits Checkers calculate means-tested benefits only

• Indicates possible eligibility to some non-means tested benefits (e.g. Disability living Allowance)

Information needed

• Details of client’s and partner’s income (where appropriate)

• Benefits received and amounts• Savings, investments and other capital• Council tax bill• Rent/mortgage payments• Information about dependents living with the client• Income from anyone receiving Carer’s Allowance

for someone living with client

Turn2us Benefits Checker

Case Study

Nita (age 62) and Sanjay (age 66) have their grandson, Zack, living with them. Their

daughter Mia is not likely to be able to look after Zack for some time. Zack is 4 and has

cerebral palsy. Nita and Sanjay want to know if they can get any

financial help with looking after Zack.

Turn2us Benefits Checker : Nita and Sanjay

Turn2us Benefits Checker : Nita and Sanjay

Turn2us Benefits Checker : Nita and Sanjay

Turn2us Benefits Checker : Nita and Sanjay

Turn2us Benefits Checker : Nita and Sanjay

Turn2us Benefits Checker : Nita and Sanjay

Turn2us Benefits Checker results: Nita and Sanjay

Analysing resultswith the Advanced Benefits Checker

Grant giving charities

Grant Giving Charities

• What is a Grant Giving Charity?• What is a grant?• Who can receive a grant?• Application process?

Grants searching and applying

Information and Resources

Information and Resources: Benefits

Information and Resources: Managing Money

Information and Resources: Find an Adviser

www.turn2us.org.uk/My Turn2us account

Resources for advisers

Training• E-learning at www.turn2uslearning.org.uk• Workshops• Projects

Sign-posting• E-flyer• Leaflets

Keep up to date• E-bulletin

Contact details:• Emma Aldridge – Projects Manager,Turn2us

T: 0208 834 9274 E: emma.aldridge@turn2us.org.uk

• Website: www.turn2us.org.uk

• Helpline: freephone 0808 802 2000

Further Information

Any questions?