The Missing Millions - Getting Pounds into Pockets
What are the Missing Millions?
What we can do to help you
The difference it can make
Where to find our drop-in sessions
Did you know that it is estimated that £23 billion of financial support went unclaimed last year? That means millions of pounds should be in the pockets of people who live in and around Haverhill, but it isn't.
At REACH we regularly come across people who just don't know what is available for them, and assume that they don’t qualify for any additional support.
"We were sitting there just going ‘what?!’. She’s telling us all the things that can help and we’re just looking at each other going ‘I didn’t know that’.”
- former client, Alice*
From free childcare and maternity options, to additional help for pensioners and warm homes discounts; we know local people are facing real difficulties with their money, and are regularly shocked to find that they do qualify, and deserve help. By getting pounds back into their pockets, suddenly the crisis they were facing is resolved and their financial situation is transformed. They no longer find themselves having to rely on temporary financial fixes, and can instead start to live their lives without stress again.
Therefore, we have made it a priority to help families and individuals in our community access what they deserve, and are missing out on.
You too maybe entitled to some of the ‘mission millions’!
Read more about how we reach our figures here
“We were really, really worried thinking hang on, we’ve never claimed, we’ve always paid our way, and now we’re joining a long list of people claiming just for the sake of it, but we’re not.
We were really stressing, and to see all that stress disappear after it was explained that, you know, that's why it’s there, to help people that are going through what he’s going through.”
- former client, Alice*
Visit our free drop-in session and we can help you check:
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Council tax reductions
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Free childcare and other support for parents
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Additional help for pensioners (including Pension Credit)
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Options not based on income
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Unclaimed/hidden support
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Utility reductions & more!
If you are eligible, we will also help you to apply for free.
But the best news of all is that we have already put one million pounds into local people's pockets this year!
Alice's husband, Fred, has severe sleep apnoea. It hasn't stopped him or his wife from working consistently for 40 years, but they found themselves making extreme decisions to save money because of the rising cost of living. They reluctantly agreed to speak with REACH not thinking they could or even should be claiming anything to help them with their situation. Her advice?:
“Listen, because listening don’t cost anything. And if it's explained to you the way it was explained to us, it's so clear. And what you actually get from it is priceless because it's put us at ease and stopped us stressing about “What if?” and saying “I don’t know what’s going to happen”.
Instead it was “oh, that was easy”. And they’re friendly. And there was no harm in just listening to someone and finding out what’s going on.
It’s what you’re entitled to. Especially if you’ve worked your whole life, because we’ve worked our whole lives and you’re not used to claiming. And I think there’s a lot of people like that!”
For opening time information on our drop in sessions, please see below. Don't wait until you're at crisis point, we may be able to help get some pounds back into your pocket!
Our Drop-ins do not need to be booked in advance and are open as follows:
Monday: The Link (Haverhill Town Centre)
Drop-in 10am-midday
Tuesday (except 2nd Tues of the month): Chalkstone Community Centre
Drop-in 10am-midday
Wednesday: Chalkstone Community Centre
Drop-in 2pm-4pm
Thursday: The Link (Haverhill Town Centre)
Drop-in 2pm-4pm
Friday: St Mary's Church (Haverhill Town Centre)
Drop-in 2pm-4pm
Please come along and speak to our friendly team, who are passionate about helping you.
It should only take about 15 minutes to ask a few questions and give you some initial advice about what may be available to you.
A short visit really could make an enormous difference to your bank account!
Click here to read more about REACH's approach to help create thriving, flourishing families in and around Haverhill.
*Names have been changed to protect identities