Healthier Wealthier Families Luton

ELFT is now also part of a new pilot that brings Healthier Wealthier Families to Luton, led by Luton Council’s Public Health Team in partnership with Citizens Advice Luton.

This expansion reflects the growing demand for holistic healthcare models that address the wider determinants of health.

The programme aims to make welfare benefits and money advice accessible and responsive, through an easy referral pathway embedded within healthcare settings. Once referred, expert advisers provide support with benefit entitlements, debt management, budgeting and appeals processes, taking a holistic approach to helping families to improve their financial security and wellbeing.

ELFT Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Perinatal Mental Health Services can now refer directly to Healthier Wealthier Families Luton.

The evidence it works
The project has already demonstrated real impact in its first year, having supported 123 families to access over £800,000 to date.

Advice First Aid
Healthier Wealthier Families Luton is also combined with an Advice First Aid approach.
The hour-long information sessions give staff the tools to find basic information on the National Citizens Advice website and respond confidently to common queries.

The sessions are designed to increase capacity and expand knowledge within CAMHS teams, helping staff to identify families who may benefit from financial wellbeing support and to connect them quickly and effectively with our advisers.

For more information, visit Luton Supporting You

You don’t need to go into detail about benefits or money matters — just let families know that free, expert support is available. You could say:
“There’s a free local service called Healthier Wealthier Families that helps families check they’re getting all the financial support they’re entitled to and offers advice if money is tight. With your permission, I can make a referral for you - or if you prefer, I can give you a leaflet so you can contact them directly.”
Staff can make a referral with the service user’s consent, or simply provide the leaflet so they can self-refer at their own pace (see attached).
Service users can contact Citizens Advice Luton directly:

0808 278 7847 (Mon–Fri, 9am–3:30pm)
Community House, 15 New Bedford Road, Luton (Mon–Fri, 9am–12pm)
citizensadviceluton.org.uk/get-advice/email-us

Specialist advisers from Citizens Advice Luton can help families to:

Check they’re receiving the right benefits and tax credits
Help to apply for Universal Credit, Child Benefit, Disability or Carer’s benefits
Get help completing benefit forms and providing supporting evidence
Resolve payment issues or challenge decisions
Understand how changes in work, health, or family circumstances affect entitlements

Families expecting a baby or recently on maternity leave can receive:

Benefit checks to ensure they’re claiming everything they’re entitled to
Help with Maternity Allowance, Statutory Maternity Pay, Healthy Start vouchers, and Sure Start Maternity Grants
Advice on managing household finances during maternity leave or reduced income

All referrals will be contacted within 3 working days.

The service supports families to be financially stable and emotionally well. Advisers can help with:

Debt advice: managing arrears and setting up affordable repayments
Budgeting: practical tips and planning to make income go further
Access to grants or emergency support for essentials

If an issue falls outside Citizens Advice’s remit (e.g. specialist housing or specialist welfare benefits advice), CAL can refer families to one of their partner organisations (Luton Law Centre or Luton Rights).