AQW 3783/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 18/03/2020
Answered On Date: 10/07/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities what communication channels her Department will use to promote how the public can to apply for financial crisis support during COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer:

Information on how the public can apply for financial crisis support and benefits during the COVID 19 pandemic is published on nidirect www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-and-benefits and

on the DfC website https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/landing-pages/covid-19-service-updates These are kept updated and the links have been shared with MLAs, the Advice Sector and stakeholders.

The Department also uses Ministerial media interviews, Press Releases, the Departmental twitter page and the Jobs&BenefitsNI facebook page to signpost the public to the most recent benefit and financial crisis support information.

Universal Credit information is also available through a range of digital channels including Facebook, Spotify, Google search and the Google Display Network. Information is available online at www.nidirect.gov.uk/universalcredit and this includes short videos to explain Universal Credit and how to apply.

My Department also set up a freephone Covid 19 Community Helpline at the end of March 2020 to assist those in vulnerable groups to access information, advice and support in relation to COVID-19 and this included those needing financial crisis support. The Helpline is managed by Advice NI and operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. The Helpline number is 0808 802 0020. Alternatively text ACTION to 81025 or email: Covid19@adviceni.net or complete a form on the Advice NI website.