Harlow Welfare Rights & Advice (HWRA) is an independent
charity and a member of Advice UK. It provides free specialist
advice, advocacy and representation in debt, employment, housing
and welfare benefits for which it holds the quality mark issued by
the Legal Services Commission (LSC). It also provides a wide range
of community information on other subjects and can signpost to
other services, if appropriate, through its Telephone and Reception
Desk. The service employs specialist advisers, solicitors and
support officers.
The Telephone and Reception Desk is open from 10am to 1.30pm
Monday to Friday on 01279 446622. Reception staff will assess the
enquiry or problem, check if there are any essential deadlines,
give brief advice and/ or information where necessary, explain how
the service works and book an appointment if appropriate. If it is
difficult for clients to attend appointments during the Advice
Centre’s normal opening hours, it is possible to make out-of-hours
appointments or home visits for housebound clients.
Reception staff will need some personal and income details
before booking appointments, as the majority of casework is
available only to clients who are funded through HWRA’s contract
with the LSC. The LSC contract covers clients whose incomes are low
enough for them to qualify for legal aid AND who live in the area
covered by Harlow Council or Epping Forest District Council AND who
need specialist help that is covered by the legal aid scheme for
issues with debt, employment, housing and welfare benefits.
HWRA
has only very limited funding to do casework for non-legally
aidable clients. There is some funding for Harlow residents who
need benefits, housing, debt and employment advice. Harlow Council
funds most of this work.
HWRA
provides advice at repossession hearings. Until 1 April 2011, these
were held at Harlow County Court which closed on that date, so
local repossession hearings now take place at Harlow Magistrates
Court. Clients should allow enough time on the day for the
HWRA
Duty
Court Adviser to look through their papers before they have to
appear before the court officials.
Debt
Advisers help clients resolve debt related problems (other than
most business debts) that they may face including arrears on
essential services, bailiff action, Council Tax arrears, inability
to repay credit or loans, mortgage arrears and repossession and
rent difficulties. They can assist with Debt Relief Orders and
personal bankruptcies.
Advisers prioritise debts, maximise income, prepare a financial
statement showing income and essential expenses and then agree a
plan for coping with the debts with the client. As debt problems
can be complex, this may require extensive long-term work.
Advisers may also be able to assist with court appearances.
Advice is provided at repossession hearings listed at Harlow
Magistrates Court.
Employment
Advisers help employees and workers with most aspects of
employment law, including breach of contract, discrimination,
dismissal, holiday pay, minimum wage, redundancy, rights for
parents and other carers, unpaid wages and working time
regulations.
They can normally write to employers on a client's behalf to try
and negotiate a resolution to the problem. They can help clients
complete Employment Tribunal or County Court applications where
needed. In some circumstances, they can represent clients at
Employment Tribunals, Employment Appeal Tribunals and County
Courts. However, they cannot normally represent clients at internal
disciplinary or grievance hearings.
Housing
Advice is offered on a range of housing issues including
disputes, harassment, homelessness, householders’ responsibilities,
leasehold conditions, right to buy, security of tenure, tenants’
rights, deposits and waiting lists.
Advisers will inform clients of their rights, act as advocates
and represent clients in Court when needed.
Welfare Benefits
Advice is given on means-tested and non means-tested benefits,
including disability and incapacity related benefits, NHS benefits,
industrial injuries, benefits for those looking for work,
Employment and Support Allowance, maternity benefits, Statutory
Sick Pay, Pension Credit, Social Fund, State Retirement Pension and
Tax Credits. Problems with overpayments and underpayments of
benefits are also covered. Claimants who are being investigated
and/or prosecuted for alleged benefit fraud should seek the advice
of a solicitor specialising in criminal law.
Advice ranges from simple benefit checks and 'better off'
calculations through to challenging decisions on benefit claims.
Advisers can make written representations to benefit appeal
tribunals and at Upper Tribunals and Courts where appropriate. In
some circumstances, they may be able to attend tribunals with
clients.