Remember UNISON is There For You ...

When we think about Christmas our first thoughts might be turkey, Christmas trees or even snow. Hopefully we will be planning time with friends and family, treats and presents. But for many Christmas will be a difficult time. Money worries, illness, family issues can strike any of us and sometimes quite out of the blue.

 

Remember that UNISON is ‘There For You’. Members experiencing financial and emotional difficulties can contact our welfare charity, There for You, which provides a confidential advice and support service for members and their dependants. Unison’s national website has a host of useful information about help and support which is available to members.

 

Winter Fuel Grant 2019/20

 

Members living on a low income constantly struggle to make ends meet – and this can be particularly acute in the winter when the cost of heating homes rises as the outside temperature falls. But, it’s not all bad news, help is at hand. Unison has once more set up a limited fund to help members on low incomes towards the cost of their winter fuel bill through a one-off payment of £40. To apply and download the application form visit unison.org.uk/thereforyou or simply contact UNISON Direct 0800 0857 857 between 6am-midnight Mon-Fri and 9am-4pm Sat. Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 14 February 2020.

 

Financial Assistance

 

If you are a member and you are experiencing financial difficulties, whatever the circumstances, There for You can offer you support. There is no guarantee that we can offer you financial help, but thousands of members and their families do benefit from our support every year. For example, in 2012, There for You gave more than 4,000 grants to members totalling nearly £750,000. For more information contact us on 020 7121 5620 or email thereforyou@unison.co.uk or contact our branch welfare officer, Jane Dobson, on 01905 26186.

 

UNISON benefits calculator

 

It can often be tricky to figure out which benefits you are eligible for and how to claim. Check out what you might be missing with the UNISON benefits calculator https://unison.entitledto.co.uk/home/start .

 

UNISON Debtline Support

 

UNISON’s Debtline service is available to all UNISON members to help them manage money and deal with debt. We offer free confidential advice to help you clear your debts. Call the UNISON Welfare Debtline freephone 0800 389 3302.