HLPAS Benefit and/or Debt Adviser.

We provide services under the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS).  This allows us to provide advice to members of the community who are facing eviction. To be eligible for this servce the persom must have received a communication from a Landlord or mortgage company telling the person they have to leace such as a notice or proceedings. The Centre then can provide help with this and advise the client whther the notice etc is valid and whether there is any defence.  THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS TYPE OF WORK although it is funded by the Legal Aid Agency.

However if early advice is provided we can aslo provide advice and assistance in relation to debt and welfare benefits so this is where we are seeking volunteers who have expereince in these areas.

Ideally you will have experience in advising and helping people with benefit and take steps to maximise their income in order to prevent them from being homeless. This could include helping cleints to apply for Disretionary Housing Payments from the council but potentiall all other benefits that are avalable for the cleint in this position.

In addtion (or in the alternative) we seek peole to undertake debt work. We are registered with the Financial Conduct Authority to undertake this type of work and you would be resposible in provide a holistic approach to debt. If you are a DRO itermediary that would be a plus. 

For both of these we can take steps for training.

We are looking for volunteers to assist our centre   in completing benefit forms especially those relating to DLA (Children) Personal Independence Payment and Employment and Support Allowance form prior to a medical examination.

The ideal person are those who have had experience of this. However Full training will be given. The time commitment is a minimum commitment of one day per week would be desirable for a minimum of 6 months due to the training . Office hours are Monday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 4pm but can be flexible.

About Fylde Coast Advice & Legal Centre

In terms of benefits we offer clients a full service and your role would be an important aspect.

Where applications are not successful we offer a facility to draft application for Mandatory Reconsideration and will represent people at Tribunals once they are listed.

We Also offer access to justice services and also undertake court work particularly in the area of housing law. The Centre is staffed by qualified individuals who do this type of work.

It is important that you are good at listening, non-judgemental, respect for others, communicate effectively with all sorts of people, uphold equal opportunities, and do not breach the requirement for confidentiality, You must have good written and spoken English, prepared to take part in training, calm in stressful situations, have a good community spirit, sociable, sense of humour and the time to make a regular commitment to people .

If that sounds like you, then please get in touch.

What skills do I need?

Listening, reading,  writing, good communication skills, empathetic to clients situation and an ability to anaylse the clients position and to undertake any works to required professional standards

When do I need to be available?

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Where does this role take place?