“Welsh Benefits Charter has the potential to benefit thousands of
people living in poverty,” Minister for Social Justice and Chief
Whip has vowed.
The Welsh Benefits Charter aims to make it easier for people to
claim all their financial entitlements by creating a more
joined-up system where a person only has to tell their story once
to access all their entitlements.
The Charter has been endorsed by all 22 local authorities and
developed with the ambition to support the most disadvantaged
people.
The work to develop a Welsh Benefits System, including the
development of the Charter, are linked to commitments in the
Welsh Government’s Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru.
The Minister for Social Justice visited Llanelli Customer Service
Hwb with the Designated Member to see the work of the
Charter in action.
The Hwb provides a wide range of help, support, and advice on
matters such as employability, housing, and trading services,
including supporting residents in claiming their entitlements
like housing benefit and blue badges.
Speaking during the visit, Minister for Social Justice
said: “The launch of the
Charter is the first step of the journey not the end point and we
are working to turn the Charter commitments into action.
“It is excellent to see an example of a one-stop approach working
here at the Llanelli Hwb. It has the potential to benefit
thousands of people living in poverty.
“Providing help, support and guidance is critical to supporting
people in accessing their financial entitlements and to meet the
growing need for impartial and specialist advice.
“We would like to see this approach replicated across Wales.”
Plaid Cymru’s Designated Member said:
“Together we want a system that provides compassionate, timely
and easy to navigate support for all those who need it.
“Putting the individual at the heart of the system and building
the support they need around them is essential as a matter of
basic fairness.
“The Charter is the beginning of our ambitious plans to develop a
comprehensive Welsh Benefits System, ensuring better support for
those who are entitled to support and benefits in Wales.”
Since the Charter was launched last month an external steering
group has already held its first meeting.
The steering group, which is made up of representatives from the
Welsh Local Government Association, local authorities, and third
sector organisations, will develop and oversee the implementation
of an action plan of all the activities necessary to establish a
Welsh Benefits System based upon the Charter commitments.
