Benefits, money advice, support and grants
 Free School Meal Direct Payment Scheme
From the 6th April the lunch box will be replaced by a direct payment into your bank account. This will be the equivalent to the cost of your child’s free school meal and will be paid on a weekly basis.
Everyone claiming Free School Meals will need to register for Free School Meal Payments (during the Coronavirus pandemic) in order to receive this payment.
Council Tax and rent
If you are having difficulty paying your Council Tax please contact us. We can look at your potential entitlement to Council Tax Reduction (or Free School Meals if you have children) if you are on a low income or social security benefits such as Universal Credit. We may be able to spread your instalments over twelve months to reduce your monthly payment or defer your initial instalments to make it easier for you to pay at a later date.
If you need to make a new claim for help with your rent please claim Universal Credit. If you receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit and have rent arrears or an ongoing shortfall in your rent, the Council administers discretionary housing payments to help you manage your housing costs.
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP)
All current Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) entitlements ending at the end of March or beginning of April will automatically be extended until October 4.
We will expect customers to complete renewals applications in September. There is no need to apply now.
If circumstances change in the award period between April and October we will review the amount we are paying and if you are aware that you require additional assistance please let us know.
Customer Care Centres
The customer care desks in Pontypool, Cwmbran and Blaenavon are closed until further notice.
The majority of things that can be done in our office can also be done online. Our online forms are available in the Report It / Request It / Apply For It area of the website.
Payments
The quickest and simplest way of making a payment is via our automated payment line on 0300 4560516 or you can make a payment online.
You also can pay your council tax, business rates and council invoices by direct debit. If you’re requesting to pay us by Direct Debit for the first time, you need to register a few details to help us respond to your request.
For general payment enquiries you can speak to an officer by calling 01495 762200.
The Cwmbran Trust
Established in 1988 the Trust serves to benefit the Cwmbran NP44 area. One of the core aims of the charity is to alleviate poverty.
During this time of unprecedented need the Trust has developed a swifter process to assess applications and enable those most in need to receive support as quickly as possible. If you or your family are experiencing financial hardship go to the website https://www.cwmbrantrust.co.uk/ or download an application or email: gifts@cwmbrantrust.co.uk
They can also be contacted by phone 01633 834057.
*If you would like advice over the phone someone is available Monday's from 9am - 3pm The Trust aim to consider applications within 3 working days.
Are you eligible for Pension Credit? - Its worth checking...
Did you know that Pension Credit is an under claimed benefit?
If your income is below £167.25 for a single person or £255.25 for a couple you may be able to apply for Pension Credit to top up your weekly income. You may be eligible if you have savings, a pension or own your home.
For more information on eligibility and help to claim, visit: www.gov.uk.pensioncredit or ring the Pension Helpline Service on 0800 7310469 between the hours of 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday. You can also call into your local Citizens Advice Bureau for further information.
Disability Advice Project
DAP has a team of dedicated and experienced staff and volunteers, who are there to offer information, advice and support on all disability issues.
Anyone who would normally have a face to face appointment will now have that appointment by telephone or video call.
 How to access Citizens Advice services
Due to the coronavirus outbreak we have moved all our advice services over to the telephone. If you need advice call 0300 330 2117 to speak to an adviser.
Please don't come to the Bureau Offices.
You can self help through out website - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales/
You can also get advice from our National Help Lines:
Help to Claim Universal Credit - 0800 024 1220
Consumer Advice Help Line - 0808 223 1133
Pensionwise - 0800 138 3944
Adviceline Wales - 0344 447 2020
Help2Claim
Help2Claim is a project run by the Citizens Advice Bureau assisting residents in Torfaen and Monmouthshire to make their Universal Credit claims online. CAB will check that Universal Credit is the best option for residents, carrying out better off calculations before the claim appointment.
CAB will then assist clients to setup their email account, make the online claim and deal with any issues they may have with their Universal Credit claim up until their first payment date. To book an appointment please call 01633 876121.
Additionally, residents are also able to access Help 2 Claim over the telephone by calling 0800 0241 220 or through the web chat service on the Citizens Advice website.
Gateway Credit Union
Despite the Covid 19 outbreak, Gateway Credit Union is still operational, even though their doors are temporarily closed to members of the public. Services are being provided remotely via phone, online and email.
Gateway Credit Union are lending to new and existing members, where they are confident that they have both the ability and intention to repay any loans. Applications are being taken online and by phone. For those who have had a change of circumstances and are unable to make their usual loan repayments, please contact them as soon as you can.
Credit Union are also able to open Change Accounts for members, which is particularly useful for people who have always drawn cash at the Post Office and are now finding that they require a debit card for the first time.
The Change Account offers a prepaid Mastercard debit card with a unique sort code and account number for payments, and mobile-friendly budgeting and bill payment tools. It does require a mobile number and email address, but doesn't need a credit check, and they can work with you to verify ID.
More details and the fee structure can be found on their website - www.gatewaycu.co.uk
To find out more about services the Gateway Credit Union have to offer, please visit the website, email: info@gatewaycu.co.uk or call 01495 742500.
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Energy advice, support and grants
Pre-payment meters
If you have been affected by Covid-19 and as a result you are now facing financial hardship or struggling to top up meters, you are advised to contact your energy supplier in the first instance to discuss your personal circumstances. You can also contact the discretionary assistance fund wales on 0800 859 5924 who may be able to assist with a small grant.
You can also apply for this online at: https://gov.wales/discretionary-assistance-fund-daf/how-apply
Have you been affected by the British Gas change to prepayment meter top ups?
On the 1st January 2020, British Gas increased the minimum pre- payment meter top up from £1 to £5.
We know many people already struggle sometimes to find money to top up meters. If this has made life more difficult we would like to hear from you. Call Citizens Advice on 01633 876121 to arrange an appointment with an energy advisor.
Food Programmes and general support during the Coronavirus outbreak
If you are facing financial hardship and are in need of a food parcel the following organisations can assist, and food parcels will be delivered to your door usually within 24 hours (except weekends):
- Torfaen Gateway - 01495 766949
- Citizens Advice - 0300 330 2117
- Job Centre Plus - 0800 169 0190
- Disability Advice Project (DAP) - 01633 485865
- Building Resilient Communities - 01495 742131
- TRAC2 - 01495 764078
There are a number of other community based organisations and groups who are also able to assist with urgent requests for food and other household items, these include:
Garnsychan Partnership
Garnsychan Partnership have decided to close both Circulate shops.
Safety of customers, staff and volunteers is of paramount importance. Staff there are now working to support immediate frontline services for residents and families affected by Covid-19.
Garnyschan Partnership is still taking calls from the public to help with:
- Foodbank support
- Food packs for residents
- Offering a friendly phone call service to anyone who is isolated and would like some virtual company up to three times a week to every resident who would like the service
- Supporting Abersychan Pharmacy with deliveries of medication to elderly and vulnerable patients
- They are also supporting Abersychan Pharmacy with coordinating community volunteers who are collecting family and neighbours’ prescriptions
- Helping residents with ESA and Universal Credit applications
You can reach them on 01495 774453
Noddfa Church Abersychan food share service offers free quality food to those in need.
At present they are only able to take orders over the phone or by direct message via their Facebook page. The service operates every Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
To receive a food parcel, please call Pastor John Funnel on 01495 448902.
CoStar Partnership has emergency food parcels available for those in hardship during the crisis. CoStar is closed to normal activities but they are a distribution point for crisis food parcels for those economically affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Please phone the Costar office on 01633 869227 for any crisis bag or other queries as they are operating with minimum staff and are not always able to pick up Facebook or Private Messages.
Opening hours are 9.30am to 2.30pm, Monday to Friday at The Threepenny Bit Community Hall, Cwmbran, Greenmeadow NP44 4SX
Panteg House Employees' Club (Greenhill Rd,Pontypool) are distributing food packages across Torfaen, please call 01495 763605.
Victory Church foodbank in Blaenavon will continue to run every Thursday 12:30 - 2:30 at 16 Broad Street Blaenavon. Parcels will be exchanged quickly and safely.
If you are deemed at risk or self-isolating we can also deliver to your home. 07746 229204 *Please note, resources are limited
Eastern Valley Foodbank Distribution Centres are closed but they will be distributing food parcels directly to homes as instructed by the voucher holding agencies.
Donations are still being gratefully received at supermarket collection points. The need is likely to increase over the coming period and we are incredibly grateful for your continued support during this difficult time. For enquiries please email:
info@easternvalley.foodbank.org.uk or call 01495 760605
Thornhill Community Centre(Leadon Court Cwmbran) are offering a food distribution centre for the most vulnerable in Torfaen.
If you know or identify any vulnerable people who may need urgent help please get in touch. Anyone can ask for help for individual’s, message via Facebook page or call
Chris Campbell on 07734 929741 / Thornhill Management Board 07549973165
Trac2 are providing emergency food parcel delivery referrals and emergency DAF applications. Support is available over the phone or through the Trac2 Facebook messenger. Trac2 are able to support with most issues so please don't hesitate to call them on 01495 764078
Llanyrafon **Pop up Food Share***
There is a Food Share running for residents in Croesyceiliog & Llanyrafon at
Woodland Road Social Centre, operating Monday to Friday from 11am until 12 noon.
🏡Residents in need of a food bank referral are advised to apply in the usual way. Food parcels are now being delivered to home addresses. The Food Share will provide ‘crisis packs’ to those affected by a sudden change to their income caused by the covid19 economic challenge
☎️To receive a pack please call your local Councillor who will pass your details to volunteers at Woodland Road.
It’s not a remedy for your current financial situation but it will certainly help. Food stock is dependent on supplies and will largely be long life items that if you can add fresh produce you will be able to make up three meals a day for a few days.
❌For anyone attending, please follow social distancing advice strictly and adhere to the social distance markers if you need to queue
If you poorly with covid19 symptoms: do not attend! Your pack may be collected by a nominated person.
Have you heard of Help to Save?
Help to Save is a type of savings account. It allows certain people entitled to Working Tax Credit or receiving Universal Credit to get a bonus of 50 pence for every £1 they save over 4 years.
You get bonuses at the end of the second and fourth years. They’re based on how much you’ve saved. You can save up to £50 each calendar month. Help to Save is backed by the government so all savings in the scheme are secure. For more information and to apply click here
 Housing advice, support and grants
Our offices in Llantarnam and Mamhilad have now closed to help support the government’s message of staying at home and encourage social distancing. This means that all of our services are being managed by staff working at home and this will affect how we work.
This is a challenging time for you, our customers, our staff and their families so please be understanding and patient as we get all get through this together.
If you want to talk to one our team about a non-urgent query please use our call back form and one of them will give call you back. Please be patient and understanding as our services are changing to make sure we keep you, our customers and our staff safe. We aim to call back within three days.
You can also:
Please only call us on 01633 620 111 if you have an emergency. These are the sort of jobs that are emergencies:
- Unsafe gas
- Unsafe electrics
- Uncontained leaks
- Asbestos release/damage
- Heating/hot water breakdowns
- Electrical failures
- Insecure property
Find out how our repairs service is working during the coronavirus outbreak
Our dedicated trade staff are only doing emergency and essential repairs. Ian Harris leads our repairs team and in this video he explains how we are working. Click here to watch it .
My Bron Afon app
Users can check their rent balance 24/7 from their mobile phone and set up a payment plan. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play, or visit the Bron Afon website for more information.
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Melin Homes
Melin Homes Money Advice Team are here to provide you with support at this uncertain time, if you are worried about
- Paying your rent
- Loss of income
- Self Employed earnings
- Paying your bills
- Paying for food
- Heating your home
Please contact them on 01495 745910 and ask for money advice or email Claire Pearce-Crawford, Advice Manager: moneyadvice@melinhomes.co.uk
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Torfaen Gateway - housing support
All support services provided by our housing teams are still being offered over the phone or web. Floating support is available to individuals living in Torfaen with a housing related support need.
Support can be provided to assist you with various issues such as;
- Help to find suitable accommodation and setting up a tenancy
- Help with budgeting, accessing benefits and managing your money
- Support with accessing services
- Help with emotional support, managing mental and physical health
- Helping you to feel safe and secure in your home and community
- Support with accessing education, training, volunteering and employment
- Support with helping you to be healthy and active
Should you wish to access one of these services or have any questions, please contact a member of the Torfaen Gateway team on 01495 766949 or email Gateway@torfaen.gov.uk
Rent increases and Universal Credit
You should have received letters with the details of your rent increases from your local housing association by now. If you haven’t, or if you have any questions regarding your rent increase or how to declare it, please contact them.
Rent increases need to be declared on your Universal Credit journals but this cannot be done until Monday 6th April. Please do not do this before then.
Warmer Torfaen
Citizens Advice Torfaen provides expert advice and support to help people keep warm in
their home by giving practical energy saving information on all aspects of energy
awareness, saving energy, and money in the home.
Your local Warmer Torfaen Adviser can help you to improve your energy efficiency and
look at practical ways to help you keep your home warm. If you are in receipt of benefits
or on a low income, struggling to meet your energy costs, or just need someone to talk to
about saving energy, arrange an appointment and come and talk to us.
For more information please call them on 01633 876121 or visit: citizensadvicetorfaen.org.uk
The Warmer Torfaen project is funded via the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme – www.energyredress.org.uk
More news and tips
Childcare for Emergency Service Employee or Key Essential Worker
 Food shopping
If you're only going to the shop once a week for food, take a look at the Love Food Hate Waste - Community webpage. It has tips on how to make your food last for longer #savvystorage #staysafe #lovefoodhatewaste
Visit the LoveFoodHateWaste website for more information.
The course is only suitable for parents with children aged between 3 and 10 years. Email Yvonne.Hayes@torfaen.gov.uk
Advice for Businesses
Business Rates Grant
Welsh Government have announced a package of support worth £1.4bn for small businesses to help them during the coronavirus outbreak. This is being administered through Local Authorities business rates system.
Complete our Business Rates Grant (COVID-19) form to allow us to collate all requests and to consider if it is appropriate to award the grant.
Support for the Self Employed
Yesterday the UK Government announced a package of support for the Self Employed impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak, bringing support to the same level as that for employees.
The scheme will be open to those with a trading profit of less than £50,000 in 2018-19 or an average trading profit of less than £50,000 from 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19.
Click here for more information about the scheme
Find out more about the different types of business support available here: Covid-19: Support for Business.
Age Cymru
Anyone over 70 in Wales can register with Age Cymru, free of charge, to receive a regular telephone call from the charity in either English or Welsh. All you have to do is call the Age Cyrmu advice number on 08000 223 444 or email: enquiries@agecymru.org.uk
 Every Mind Matters
Staying fit and active whilst staying in isolation is very important. Equally as important is taking care of your mental health!
The NHS ‘Every Mind Matters’ page contains expert advice and practical tips that will help you look after your mental health and wellbeing whilst staying at home.
Take a look – https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
#StayAtHome
#ProtectOurNHS
Coronavirus Phishing Scams
There have been reports of fake Coronavirus emails and text messages being received.
These messages claim to be from official sources for example, the HMRC or World Health Organisation.
They claim to offer safety advice, tax refunds or similar, but include malicious web links or attachments. Whether a message is received by a phone call, text or email, to help avoid these scams:
- Do not give out your personal or financial information
- Do not click on attachments or web links
- Do not use any contact information in the message itself
- Verify via your own trusted method
The Salvation Army - support during isolation
The Salvation Army n Pontypool can help! Please call officers Captain Andrew and Lorraine Warriner a call and they can make sure you get regular phone calls.
BT used to advertise that; ‘It's good to talk' and at this time of isolation, phone calls will be a life line. Call 01495 767998 and make a new friend.
Free Microsoft Office
Did you know that every student in Wales is entitled to download a copy of Microsoft Office for PC or Mac totally FREE!
So if you’re considering purchasing Laptops, PCs, Macs or MacBooks for Christmas, you don't need to pay additional costs for a copy of Microsoft Office. Follow the links below to the Hwb website for further information and promotional materials.
To access all of the features of Hwb and allow students to download the free copies of Microsoft Office at home, parents/carers need to give consent, and the link below provides information on guidance and consent forms.
https://hwb.gov.wales/support-centre/trust-centre/data-protection/consent/
How to download Office®
- Log in to Hwb and navigate to Office 365.
- Click on the Install Officedropdown (in the top right hand corner).
- Click Install software.
- Select Office 365 apps click
- Follow the on-screen instructions (installation can take a while depending on the Internet connection speed)
- Once installed, open an app such as Word and read and accept "The fine print".
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