Elildh is married and lives with her husband and their two dependent children…….
Client Profile: Elildh is married and lives with her husband and their two dependent children. They live in a 2 bedroomed Housing Association property and receive child benefits.
Reason client needs advice:
Elildh contacted Citizens Advice Harlow as she was struggling to cope financially.
What we have done to help the client:
During the case exploration, and as part of our project aimed at supporting families with young children in maximizing their income, the adviser informed Elildh about several opportunities, including:
Energy-saving measures to help reduce household costs
Bounty Club membership benefits
Broadband social tariffs for lower-cost internet access
Public transport savings, such as daily ticket options to reduce travel expenses
Additionally, as part of the discussion on benefit access and passported benefits, the adviser provided information on:
Healthy Start vouchers, which support families with young children
15 hours of free childcare, available to eligible families
Universal Credit childcare cost support, which can help working parents cover childcare expenses
These passported benefits are particularly valuable for parents entering or returning to work, as they help offset childcare costs and improve overall financial stability.
Outcome:
Fuel Voucher issued £76
Small Energy measures; £1,116 annual savings expected
Broadband social tariffs, £144 annual savings
Public transport daily ticket £255.50 annual savings
Bounty Club membership: £4160 annual saving
Healthy Start Vouchers £442 on the first year of life of the child
15 hours of free childcare £7316.40 annually
Universal Credit childcare cost support £20,872.44
Elildh is now better off by £34,382.34
NB: Names and some details have been changed to protect our clients’ anonymity.