Don’t suffer in silence!
Help and advice available from Fylde Council and its partners.
Man holding applications forms looking confused.
That’s the message as Fylde Borough Council has noticed a record breaking number of benefits claims over the last few months due to the effects of the recession.
Since September last year the number of people on Job Seekers Allowance has more than doubled and Housing and Council Tax Benefits claims have increased to unprecedented levels too. There are now 921 people claiming Job Seekers Allowance compared with 446 in September with 8817 Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit claimants compared to 8383 just five months ago.
Councillor Roger Small, Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources and Finance and Deputy Leader of Fylde Borough Council, said: “This really shows what effect the economic downturn is having on our residents. These figures have climbed dramatically in just a short space of time and it doesn’t look like things are going to get better any time soon. All we can do is make sure that there is as much help as possible to people that fall on hard times. The Benefits team is prepared to take on enquiries and offer advice to whoever feels they need it.
“There is also an argument here for why schemes such as the Heeley Road supported housing scheme are so important. Due to the downturn, people are clearly struggling to make ends meet and in the worst cases are finding they can no longer pay their mortgage and need urgent housing support until they can get back on their feet. This type of accommodation is essential for the hard working people who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in desperate situations.”
Residents are being urged to make use of the benefits available to them. The Council website at www.fylde.gov.uk/creditcrunch carries some information about what aid people can access through the council. The benefits team can also be contacted by calling in to the Fylde Direct office on Clifton Drive or by calling 01253 658658.
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