Women need specialist supportto deal with financial hardship
Many women in prison and in contact with the criminal justice system experience stress, anxiety and hardship linked to their finances, benefits and debt.
It is widely understood that financial hardship can be a significant driver to women’s offending and that long-term poverty, debt and loans with high interest are the reality for many women in contact with the criminal justice system.
All women should have access to specialist finance, benefit and debt support services that can offer them the financial advice they need to lift themselves out of financial hardship and stress.
Finance, benefit and debt services may include:
- guidance on benefit entitlements and allowances
- support to develop debt relief and debt management plans
- signposting to professional advice and support schemes aimed at relieving financial hardship
- debt advice to women who need support to address mounting debts e.g. mobile phone, rent arrears etc.
- support to women leaving prison and needing to access benefits on release
- support to complete applications for housing benefit, jobseekers’ allowance and other financial support
SelectedFinance, benefit and debt support services
We have curated the following shortlist of women’s organisations, women’s centres and specialist women’s organisations that can offer support, advice and signposting to finance, benefit and debt services in the UK. You can also search for finance, benefit and debt support services near you by using our search facility
A Home of Her Own
Kairos’ A Home of Her Own service supports women subject to or at risk of sexual exploitation, who are homeless or facing homelessness, to secure and maintain safe, suitable accommodation. A Home of Her Own offers support across three pathways – crisis, prevention and sustainment.
Finance and Housing Support
Get support with: – 1-2-1 debt. – Welfare. – Benefits. – Universal Credit. – ESA – Employment & Support Allowance. – PIP – Personnel Independent Payment.
Supported Housing (mainstay)
We are a member of a supported housing consortium for homeless adults, we provide supported short term housing to homeless individuals with housing related support. Venus are unable to accept direct referrals for this service, please contact Sefton Council for mainstay access points.
Anawim Accommodation Support
We have a specialist housing officer who has built up good links with good quality housing in the city and provides resources to the other caseworkers. Along with our drop in workers they can provide support with tenancy issues, evictions, rough landlords etc.
Hope Street Residential Hub
Hope Street offers: A residential hub with 24-hour support, purpose built and specifically designed to create a trauma-informed, gender responsive environment for women and their children.
Supported Accommodation
Robinson Court in York provides holistic support for women and young people, with the aim of helping people build brighter futures for themselves and their families. Alongside our supported accommodation, we offer support in other areas of people’s lives, such as helping them access health appointments and working towards employment or volunteering. Ridley Villas
We offer: – One-to-one bespoke key work sessions to explore and address any issues – A safe space for women to identify and explore any trauma they are experiencing and/or have experienced – Access to the Ridley Villas 20-week tailor-made programme – The Stephanie Covington programme: Helping Wo
Women’s Accommodation Support Service (WASS)
Women’s Accommodation Support Service provides information, advocacy and support for homeless and insecurely housed women across Sussex. Women who are vulnerable in so many ways can find life very challenging.