Compass in Cumbria - Factsheets & Guides

Social Fund, Advances of Benefit and Local Welfare Provision - Factsheet

The Social Fund is a scheme to help people with expenses that are difficult to meet from a low income and includes:
 Winter Fuel Payments
 Cold Weather Payments
 Funeral Payments.

Pension Credit - Factsheet

This factsheet explains what Pension Credit is, the eligibility criteria and how to make a claim. It explains what to do if you have a change of circumstance.

Council tax - Factsheet

This factsheet aims to help you understand
- Council Tax liability and payment
- Eligibility for Council Tax Support schemes
 -Other ways of reducing you Council Tax bill

State Pension - Factsheet

This factsheet gives information about the new State Pension (for people reaching State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016) and the old State Pension (for people who reached State Pension age before 6 April
2016).
It explains how to claim your pension

Housing Benefit - Factsheet

This factsheet explains what Housing Benefit is, who qualifies for it, andV how it is calculated. It explains how to claim and what to do if you want to challenge a decision.

Planning for retirement: money and tax - Factsheet

This factsheet looks at some common money and tax issues connected with retirement, including dealing with pensions and tax allowances. It also explains about record-keeping and dealing with paperwork.

Park homes - Factsheet

This factsheet gives information about the law relating to park homes (also called mobile homes or caravans). It is aimed at park homeowners who are entitled to use their home as a permanent residence, not people staying or living in holiday caravans

Home improvements and repairs - Factsheet

This factsheet provides information about the help you can get if your home is in a poor condition or unsuitable for your needs.

Tenancy rights - security of tenure - Factsheet

This factsheet provides information about what your landlord can charge
you in rent, depending on the type of tenancy you have.

Anti-social behaviour in housing - Factsheet

This factsheet is about anti-social behaviour that takes place in the home or neighbourhood. It includes information on noisy neighbours, hedge disputes and harassment

Advice for carers - Information Guide

This guide looks at both the practical side of caring – the benefits you can claim, how to arrange flexible working hours, how to organise respite care – and the emotional side, such as the impact on your health and social life. It aims to let you know wh

Save energy, pay less - Information Guide

This guide looks at ways to make your home warmer without spending more on your heating bills

Thinking about end of life-Information Guide

If you know you have a life-limiting illness, this guide also explains what options and services could be available as your illness progresses. If this applies to you it will help to know the questions to ask so you can you make the best choices for you.

Powers of attorney - Information Guide

There are a number of reasons why you might need someone to make decisions for you, or act on your behalf. It could just be temporary: for example, if you are in hospital and need help with everyday things such as making sure bills are paid.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender - Information Guide

This guide looks at a broad range of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, before covering some specific transgender issues on pages 28–30.

Home safety checker- Information Guide

It’s important that we feel safe in our homes, yet more
accidents happen at home than anywhere else. This guide contains checklists to help you identify and resolve any possible safety risks, and help prevent accidents.

Care home checklist - Information Guide

This handy guide contains suggestions for a number of things that you might want to consider when looking for a care home

Getting help at home - Information Guide

This guide outlines the help you may be able to receive and signposts to relevant organisations to get personal care, adapting our home to suit our needs, or receiving benefits.

Housing options - Information Guide

This guide gives you information about these different possibilities and explains how to find out more about your options.

Care homes - Information Guide

This guide is written for the relative or friend of an older person who is considering a move into a care home. Of course, you may be reading it for yourself if you think it’s time to move into residential care.