Meet Jean
Jean was referred to CAL while experiencing domestic abuse and being in the process of separating from her husband.
She had significant financial uncertainty as the sole carer for her children. She required support with divorce, safety concerns, and accessing financial help.
We provided clear guidance on the divorce process, including costs, timescales, and how to apply for legal aid, as well as signposting to free legal support services. In response to her safety concerns, we advised on protective measures such as non-molestation and occupation orders, and connected her with specialist organisations for support with stalking and domestic abuse.
We alerted Jean to several things to help her become more financially stable and budget better. A full benefits check identified that Jean was not receiving key entitlements. With adviser support, a Child Benefit application was successfully completed on her behalf, ensuring access to ongoing financial support, including potential backdating. We identified eligibility for Council Tax Reduction and advised her on registering for council tax and managing any potential arrears, with an open offer of further debt support.
We explored arrangements for her children, including safe contact options, and provided guidance on securing financial support through child maintenance. Jean was interested in finding work so we gave her information about the National Careers Service and Luton Adult Learning courses.
Finally we completed a housing register application for Jean to try and stabilise her housing needs.
Overall, our support helped Jean take important steps towards independence and safety, while maximising her income and ensuring she is better financially supported as the sole carer of her children.