Help and Support for Families

Homes and Money Hub

https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/money-and-debt/homes-and-money-hubs

Allocation to a Homes and Money Hub Caseworker

The criteria below must be met for allocation to a Homes and Money Hub Caseworker.

Allocation to a Caseworker may also not apply to anyone who has been allocated a Caseworker in previous year, and is returning with the same issues without a relevant change in circumstances.

If the criteria is not met, the Homes and Money Hub may still provide urgent food assistance, and will provide Information, Advice and Guidance to signpost to relevant support and services.

1) At least 2 out of these 3 Primary debts

Rent Arrears
Council Tax Arrears
Utility arrears (Electricity, Gas, Water)

OR

2) 1 Primary debt from Rent Arrears, Council Tax Arrears, Utility arrears

AND at least one of the following applies:

At risk of eviction
Significant physical/mental ill-health or Disability
Limited capacity to manage affairs
Victim of Domestic Abuse
Victim of Modern slavery
Victim of Loan Sharks
Care Leaver
Has complex Universal Credit or other benefit issues, such as Benefit Cap, Under-occupancy (Bedroom Tax) or under-claiming
Has Mortgage arrears
Carer of a disabled adult or child

OR

3) NEET = 16 to 18 Year olds who are who are not in Education, Employment or Training

Information, advice and guidance Signposting

Lots of residents need straight forward advice and signposting to help them resolve issues and do not need a Homes and Money Hub Caseworker. Residents can refer to:

Council Tenant with rent arrears only https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/rent
Benefits and Discretionary help https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/benefits-and-support
Employment or training https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/help-finding-work
Debt https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/money-and-debt
Housing Benefit https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/search?s=housing+benefit
Council Tax advice https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/council-tax
Housing advice https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/housing
Applications for :

- Discretionary Housing Payments https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/discretionary-hardship-support/discretionary-housing-payments-dhp

- Claim Council Tax Support https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/council-tax-support/apply-council-tax-support#e5370ab1

- Hardship payment schemes https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/discretionary-hardship-support/hardship-payment-schemes

This is a difficult time for families, and you may be worried about not having access to food you need.

You may be entitled if you are pregnant or have a child under the age of 4yrs to Healthy Start vouchers. You can check if you’re eligible at https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/how-to-apply/

Please find below the local food banks that may be able to help:

Dagenham Food Bank

RCCG House of Faith Connections.

The BEACON, 104 New Road, Dagenham, RM9 6PE

Tel: 02085950122

Barking Food Bank

Elm Church, 93 Axe Street, Barking IG11 7LZ

Tel: 02082170660

Bethel Christian Centre Food Bank

170 Bennett's Castle Lane, Dagenham, RM8 3XP

Tel: 02085958291

Please find below a list of Community Food Clubs:

What the Community Food Club offers

Join the Community Food Club and you could reduce your food shopping bill by having access to roughly £20 worth of shopping each week.

Membership is available for one person per household, to visit once a week and is valid for 3 months. Your membership will give you access to support from a wide range of services, providing advice on finances, health, employment, training and skills.

You will also have access to a shared community garden to grow your own produce and opportunities to work on community projects with fellow residents.

Who is eligible and how to apply

You must be a resident of the borough, on a low income or having financial difficulties. Please bring proof of your address if you come to one of our drop in sessions for joining the community food club.

You will only be able to access one site at a time during your membership. You can also apply online by clicking the button below. Once you have completed and submitted the application form online, a member of our team will contact you and update you on the progress of your application.

Apply to Join the Community Food Club

We need volunteers!

We need volunteers, to help us run the clubs including working in the shop, helping set up and carrying out administrative tasks and drivers to pick up deliveries from local supermarkets. Travel costs will be met. if you want to help others in the community in your spare time, learn new skills or gain great work experience for your CV, then volunteering may be just right for you

If you would like to volunteer please visit our volunteer page.

When and where

William Bellamy Children's Centre,

Frizlands Lane, Dagenham, RM10 7HX

Every Monday between 11am and 4pm.

William Bellamy location map.

Tel: 020 8724 1924

Email: cfc.wbcc@lbbd.gov.uk

Marks Gate Community Hub,

Rose Lane, Marks Gate, RM6 5NR

Every Wednesday between 11am and 1pm.

Marks Gate location map