SUPPORT I NG

FAM I L Y WEL L -

BE I NG

Spring Term 2020 (no . 6 )

MoneySavingExpert.com have produced aguide which covers issues like mortgages,rent, utility bills and much more.https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/03/uk-coronavirus-help-and-your-rights/They do say that information is changing all the timethough - so recommend checking their websiteregularly for updates.

Help for employees, the selfemployed and benefits claimants isavailable - BUT understanding what youare entitled to and how to claim can betricky. This really useful guide produced by the MoneyAdvice Service explains things in a simple tounderstand way.https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you Again they do say that information is changing allthe time though - so recommend checking theirwebsite regularly for updates.

SUPPORT WITH FAMILY FINANCES

SUPPORTING

OUR

CHILDREN

AND THEIR

FAMILIES 

In these challenging times, managing

family finances can be difficult. Here are

a list of some places, charities and

organisations that might be able to help.

Banking A question many people are asking is will myback be open during the lock-down - the answeris.... it depends! The banks are allowed to beopen but all have put in social distancingmeasures. To find out what your bank is doing take a look atthe following report https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/saving/article-8147049/Will-bank-branch-open-coronavirus-lockdown.html The Post Office

If your local bank branch is closed, you may beable to use the services of the Post Office tocarry out your financial transactions. It's possibleto withdraw and deposit cash and cheques atthe post office who are connected to many highstreet banks. You can also pay bills at the post office - forutilities etc. They have a really helpful website  but pleasecheck what services your local post office offers.https://www.postoffice.co.uk/everydaybanking

Shopping Asda and Marks and Spencers havelaunched a 'volunteer shopping card' tohelp those who are self-isolating due tothe corona virus. The new initiative comes after the UKGovernment identified over a million people inEngland and further afield as particularlyvulnerable to corona virus, due to certainmedical conditions, and issued advice for themto self-isolate for 12 weeks. Since then, thousands of people across thecountry have signed up to become volunteers intheir community, in order to help those who areunable to fulfill essential tasks, such as shopping. How do the volunteer cards help?Both Asda’s and M&S's volunteer card comes inthe form of an e-gift card, with a bar-code thatcan be scanned for payments. It can bedownloaded and presented on a phone screen,or be printed on A4 paper and scanned by amember of checkout staff. This allows for a contactless way of shopping - anessential feature in helping to decrease the riskto shoppers. https://cards.asda.com/the-volunteer-shopping-card https://www.marksandspencer.com/all-in-this-together/p/p60282075

Flights and Bookings Information is changing as situations change indifferent countries. Also different companies areoffering different solutions to cancellations -some offering money refunds, others rebooking,others vouchers.Check with your tour operator but read thelatest advice here https://www.skyscanner.net/news/corona-virus-information

Travel and Holidays The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) isnow advising against all foreign travel for anindefinite period.  This open-ended warningagainst travel has caused confusion. It’s leftholidaymakers unsure what to do about existingbookings, with questions over their rights torefunds for cancelled flights, holidays and hotels.Read more:https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/04/coronavirus-outbreak-advice-for-travellers/ -Which?

https://www.thetrainline.com/trains/latest-coronavirus-travel-information

Train Travel

Check your travel insurance policy too!

Coach Travel Check timetables before you travel and checkyour rights if your trip has been cancelled https://www.nationalexpress.com/en/help/coronavirus https://uk.megabus.com/ https://nationalholidays.com/

This is an eclectic mix of resources all of whichcould support families -if you come across anyothers please let me know! Allisona.simpson@focus-trust.co.uk