Liverpool people in urgent need of financial help can now use a Freephone service to contact the city council.
From April the Council has operated the Liverpool Citizens Support Scheme to replace grants and loans which have been abolished as part of the government’s welfare reforms.
Now following discussions with CABs a Freephone service has been introduced. The number – 0800 456 1523 – is available for claimants or their representatives between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday. The service can still also be contacted at 0151 233 3053.
“Since the Department for Work and Pensions stopped providing community care grants and crisis loans we have been supporting some of the poorest households in the city,” said Councillor Paul Brant, the Deputy Mayor.
“These people are often desperate – they can literally have no food in their house, be victims of domestic violence, recently left care or for a variety of other reasons.
“We are providing what support we can but we have to make sure that those most in need can access it as easily as possible so we have introduced the Freephone service ”
The Citizens Support Scheme, which is administered by the Council’s Benefits Service, has been set up to help vulnerable people who have no other means of support to enable them to deal with a crisis in their lives or allow them to continue to live in the community.
0800 Freephone numbers are free of charge for BT customers. Other providers’ charges, including mobile phone providers, are not regulated so the cost could vary. Customers should contact their service provider for more information.
