UK Bill Help

Individuals that are struggling with their rent or that are now homeless can receive assistance from Connection at St Martin. The London based organisation works to help struggling individuals with solving their housing problems. They provide services such as day and night centres, employment training, tenancy support, and advice on benefits or private schemes to pay deposits.

Information on housing benefits and financial assistance from St Martin

Free advice is always available. This can address those in priority need, the currently homeless and others who are most vulnerable, such as substance misusers. Social workers will provide the client with help in applying for deposit schemes for a new flat. The individual can also get referrals to private accommodation in the city of London.

All clients will go through an interview and assessment process. Based on the result of that specialist advice service, they can also take part in sessions to learn about programmes available in their local area of London. The aim is to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping in the future.

As part of this service, specialists from Connection at St Martin will also offer help in applications for housing benefits. These can be effective in maintaining a tenancy on a new, private accommodation. There will also be ongoing tenancy support provided as needed to ensure the cycle of homelessness is broken.

Resettlement support is provided using a wide, integrated approach. This will need to solve the reason for the homelessness. But once this has been done, the person can get help from a variety of services. The staff at the Connection at St Martin can help the individual on a low income locate private accommodations and inspect it. Then, if needed, advice on applying for schemes to pay the deposit, or rent in advance, may be offered.

Additional programmes for the homeless

Volunteers and staff from the agency reach out to people sleeping rough. The aim is to get these individuals into some type of temporary accommodation or shelter. At that time, they will then be provided food, medical care, or other support. This is the first step involved in stability.

As part of this process, other needs will be addressed. They can get help in finding private accommodation. Other assistance from St. Martin of London will be tackling mental health or drug or alcohol misuse of a rough sleeper. In many cases, these outreach services will be key to getting the person back on track to stability.

Many of the homeless also use the Connection at St Martin centres. These are based in London and open at both day and the night. Staff from the organisation will provide information on services available to them, ranging from government housing benefits to bond guarantees that local landlords may participate in. The centres will also offer facilities for showers, hygiene, and other social support services.

In addition, the night centre is a place for people to go if they can’t access a hostel. So this is a form of temporary accommodation. Some people also can use the St. Martin’s House, which is more of a medium-stay housing project.

An aim is to also help Young People in London. Some of the assistance programmes for them includes welfare support, specialist housing for their needs, and health or mental health services. Specialists will work with the young person on getting them resettled into a new home.

Training and Employment services are key to maximising income and stability. The organisation will therefore provide job search services, CV preparation work, and help clients gain interviews. Or if someone needs further education or job training, staff will try to arrange this too.

Older people can also take advantage of services for their needs. There will be free, one on one advice provided to them on housing support, job training, and any welfare benefits that can receive. In many cases, the staff at St Martin Connection believe the solution is different for people of different agencies and experiences.

People with complex issues that are homeless can get assistance as well. This is for those with drug and alcohol misuse, domestic violence, mental or physical heal issues, or a disability. They can get information or programmes available to them. Not only can someone get referrals to affordable housing services, but there may also be treatment or medical care offered.

Casework provided will offer intensive support. It includes everything from on-going assessments and action plans to applications for emergency rental or deposit help. There are also some private landlords that may have accommodations for these individuals, provided they continue to receive casework support on an ongoing basis.

The Connection at St Martin’s address is 12 Adelaide Street, London, WC2N 4HW. Call 020 7766 5544. The above is only some of what is provided. The organisation will also provide help with claiming housing allowances or benefits, budgeting, and assist with other life skills.