Kent Support and Assistance as it was called (KSAS), a Government Scheme funded £2.8 million pound in its first year and millions since, has just recently had removal the information of its phone service with the web page edited slightly to remove the multi million scheme's name too. You can only find information on the scheme by typing 'help in a crisis' or something similar into the KCC search bar with it's new name 'Home essentials in a Crisis'. The page has its header name changed and their number removed but is other wise the same. This seems to also be the case with other essential council services whereby you have to report/claim for help online not taking into consideration the vulnerable and those without internet access or the know how to use this method, the only choice given. This is something us a non funded organisation fill the faps with as they refer clients to us when turning people down for help was not informed of, nor any other sign posting agency we lisise with. We are already seeing the rise in cases coming to us before this at our Thanet 7 day Food Bank, non funded and run by community, something we have had to take the demand for with errors to this KCC service since it began in Spring 2013 following the abolishment of the DWP's social fund's Crisis Loans and Community Care Grants. As an organisation, we have previously fought to get waiting times down in their first year which was proven to be productive after being asked to meet with the scheme's commissioner when we swapped figures on how many people Kent County Council were helping in Thanet compared to our non funded 7 day food bank. The figures were shocking Our concerns were acted on after myself and vice chairman Robin were asked to meet the commisioner of the scheme and his colleague who travelled to meet us from Maidstone after we voiced our growing concerns through several channels Waiting times were at least 14 days often longer for a decision on helping with emergency food, gas and electric, by which time their situations had largely started to sort themselves but claimants were still receiving food and fuel from KSAS after we had supported them through their hardships within 24 hours which even the clients acknowledged to be a waste of the council money. The commissioner, Hugh Martyn listened to what we provide non funded and he called me the 'Gap Filler', he asked what we see as the need here in Thanet and was quick to act with waiting time reduced to a matter of days rather than weeks within weeks. This was funded £2.8 million pound in the spring of 2013 with further millions in funding year on year following from Central Government to provide a service to the people in need from Maidstone to the whole of Kent. Right now, the people of Kent are being let down hugely yet again. We will be gathering more figures and FOI's into exactly how many services have had their phone contact service removed. **If you would like to get involved or would like to share your story, please send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] Kerry Keating and Robin Vaughan Lyons

at the moment each & every electric/gas quote is split between Kw/Hr & various standing charges so get them to make them all one price so people can understand them easier & see what is cheaper & dearer. Please vote for this petition to get them to organise prices we can all understand easily

The bringing into hospital, germs etc, without due care and attention to the risk of Clinicians carrying the germs and infection to patients

My husband was made disabled by a surgeon in November. We privately rent our two bedroom house and it was fine until he became disabled. We have been put on the housing list but there are no suitable properties. We have told we are entitled to a 3 bedroom council property but there are non available. We currently are only ellagable for housing benefit for a two bedroom house which leaves us locked in our current property. Despite needing to move on medical grounds we are not allowed to apply for 3 bed housing benefit meaning we can't look to rent privately. We have an indefinite wait on the list. I am still sharing a room with our 18 month old son. My husband can't access any parts of the house besides his bedroom and the bathroom. It is having a negative effect on our mental and physical well being.

This has created a massive impact on the UK welfare population that goes all the way to mothers caring for their disabled children, charging people ludicrous fines and causing much suffering for those affected. For example of this here's links to supporting articles such as a woman accused of being married to a dead pensioner http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/37339981 http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/teen-mum-tax-credits-stopped-8825953

People who have planned sensibly for their retirement on the assumption they will be entitled to a pension, to which they have usually contributed, should not lose out to rich banks if their employer goes bust.

Food to a person with Type One diabetes is equal to medication, to lose any income is tantamount to at worse death at best the loss of a limb or permanent blindness. Daily Food is essential and means to keep insulin refrigerated , no sanctions under any circumstances for anyone with Type One diabetes, ever.

Helps the NHS to free up beds and allows Carers to have somewhere for their relatives to stay while they have short breaks for themselves. My 99 year Mother old has stayed several times, she has been very happy there and it has allowed myself to recharge my batteries with a holiday. An amazing facility and staff that could greatly assist FPH with bed blocking and give patients the time and care to get them back in to the community.

Currently if you are a university student and living in rented accommodation you can receive a maintenance loan. The councils in UK include this as an income when evaluating a housing benefit claim! I have also found out the even if you do not take out a maintenance loan the council includes it, so a student would have to take one out anyway. This is a loan to be paid back after graduation, not an income.

If Torbay council can get this through, then every council in the land will be punishing the disabled and poor families, for being poor. What is being proposed? They are proposing to make ten changes that are listed below to the current scheme from 1 April 2017: Reducing the maximum level of support to 55% of the council tax charge Restrict the maximum level of support to the equivalent of a band C property charge Savings limit of £3,000 Removal of the family premium Reducing backdating for new claims to one month Basing the reduction on a set minimum income for self-employed earners after one year’s self-employment Reducing the period a person can be absent from Great Britain and still receive a reduction to four weeks Removing the work related activity component for new ESA applicants Limiting the number of dependent children within the calculation to a maximum of two Removing entitlement to Severe Disability Premium where another person is paid Universal Credit (Carers Element) The last one is really poisonous, remove entitlement to Carers!!! Please spread this story, you never know when you may be struggling with sickness. Thank you for your time.

People changing from DLA to PIP are being robbed of their entitlement because they do not have a " cognitive impairment" or " physical" reason why they cannot understand what people say to them, or can't cook a meal , or can't walk 200 yards, or can't plan and execute a journey by themselves.

Over 300 people currently attend one of the day centres facing closure. Most of the users are frail and many suffer from dementia. Being able to meet up with friends means people are less isolated and are able to stay living in the community for much longer. If these services go people may not be able to live independently for a long as they would like to and may be forced into more costly residential care.