New claimants of Universal Credit in the Basildon borough now have Customer Support Champions in the Basildon Centre to help them with money, housing and other matters.
The Customer Support Champions, a newly created team, will work closely with partners including Citizens Advice, to help with:
Fast track applications for discretionary payments
Support for customers and landlords to manage relationships
Advice on affordable housing options
Offering money advice and debt management
Creating basic bank accounts/jam jar accounts with Basildon Credit Union
Signposting to other partners, including food banks
The Customer Support Champions will support new claimants to make sure they are aware of all of the help, support and services throughout the borough that are available to them in the crucial weeks while they are waiting for their first Universal Credit payment.
Cllr Gavin Callaghan, Basildon Council’s Chairman of the Policy and Resources committee, said: “Basildon Council has taken immediate and decisive steps to mitigate any negative impact on the household budgets of our most vulnerable residents. This is especially important at this time of year when Christmas just puts more financial pressure on people who are already struggling.
