RESIDENTS across Carmarthenshire can access help from the council if they are struggling with the rising cost-of-living.

The council’s community Hwbs in Ammanford, Llanelli and Carmarthen have been supporting residents who have been struggling with the cost-of-living crisis over the last 18 months.

The community Hwbs have advisors on hand Monday to Friday for any queries and there are also employability advisors and housing officers on hand to provide tailored packages of support for residents.

Hwb visitors can access information on services available to support them during the cost-of-living crisis.

Cllr Linda Evans, deputy leader and cabinet member for tackling poverty, said: “Our Hwb advisors perform a valuable and professional service and I would urge anybody that is worried about their finances and finding it difficult to make ends meet to contact our Hwb advisors to see what advice and help is available to them.”

One resident, named as Mrs H was a single parent with three children and a homeowner who was relying on Employment Support Allowance and other benefits.

Mrs H had received a summons for her council tax payment and was called to meet with a Hwb advisor who recognised she was struggling and was able to help her apply for a council tax reduction, Universal Credit and free school meals for the children as well as other support schemes to help her and her family.

Mrs H was successful in the applications and has said she is now around £800 a month better off after the advisor’s help.

Another resident who received help is Mr P. He was issued with a notice for non-payment of rent after six months of his tenancy. The letting agent contacted the council’s pre-accommodation team to see if there was help available. Mr P had been struggling with the move to Universal Credit and had a large amount of rent arrears.

The advisors took action to help Mr P with his Universal Credit claim to assist with the move from employment support allowance and a discretionary housing payment claim.

His successful application allowed him to clear his £3,750 rent arrears and was able to keep his home. He is now able to pay his rent through direct debit after this was set up to pay the rent shortfall.

Mr G was also helped by the Hwb advisors. He had been living alone following the death of his wife. His wife had been in receipt of personal independent payment (PIP) and pension credit and these stopped when she died.

He was helped by the advisors who were able to assist with an application for a council tax reduction under the single person occupancy discount and housing benefit, both were granted under the 72-year-old’s income.

He was also referred to the Citizens Advice Bureau who were able to help him by issuing an energy voucher and helping with his own PIP and pension credit applications.

For more help, support and information, visit https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/home/council-services/benefits/cost-of-living-advice/