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Healthier Wealthier Families Newham

Healthier Wealthier Families Newham

Healthier Wealthier Families (HWF) is delivered in partnership between the Specialist Children and Young People community health service in Newham (SCYPS), Our Newham Money, Newham Council’s financial advice service, and ELFT Perinatal Mental Health Services.

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.

Following the success of the pilot, HWF received further funding through the ELFT Charity and Newham Council. A follow-up evaluation demonstrated real impact, showing that the programme continues to strengthen financial stability for families most in need.

Now in its third year, funding by Newham Council’s public health grant is supporting expansion of Healthier Wealthier Families to three additional SCYPS sites across Newham. As well as West Ham Lane Health Centre (E15 4PT), referrals will also be made from:

  • Applebee Health Centre, E16 1LQ
  • Lord Lister Health Centre, E7 0EP
  • East Ham Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre, E6 6EN
  • Newham’s Perinatal Mental Health Services.
     

As part of routine appointments, ask parents or carers if they have concerns about money, financial stress, or if they struggle to make ends meet by the end of the month. This doesn’t require a probing conversation about finances, and can be as light touch as:

“Is it ok to ask you about your money and finances?”

“Can I share with you some information about a free in-house service run by Newham Council that provides money advice, including support with welfare benefits and budgeting?”

“I can make a referral directly now.”

“I am not sure if you are aware, but we have an in-house benefit support service run by Newham Council for patients to ensure they are claiming their correct entitlements and to provide support with benefit and debt-related matters”

If they would like support, you simply make a referral through our straightforward process. Our advisor will then meet with the family to discuss their situation confidentially and provide expert support. https://newhamself.achieveservice.com/service/NHS_Referral 

  • Benefit entitlement checks
  • Form filling (Disability Living Allowance, Carers Allowance, Housing and Council Tax benefits)
  • Benefit appeals (when benefit is not awarded/turned down)
  • Support with Universal Credit (we do not support with initial application as this is funded by Citizens Advice Bureau Help to claim service, but we can help with limited capability forms and issues around payments)
  • Discretionary Housing Payment applications (for those with rent arrears and who are under occupancy)
  • Pension age benefits (such as Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance and State Pension queries)

Our advisors can help with:

  • Disability claims and appeals
  • Disabled travel application
  • Income and expenditure
  • Council Tax and debt enquiries
  • Benefit overpayments
  • Energy debts
  • Money management
  • Child Benefit enquiries
  • Tax credit overpayments

We are unable to support with Housing or immigration, but in such cases can provide Advice, guidance and signposting to relevant services.

Support is available for those due to start maternity leave with:

  • Welfare benefit checks
  • Applying for entitled benefits
  • Maternity allowance form
  • Sure start maternity grant
  • Budgeting support

Most referrals are contacted within a week; during periods of high demand, this may take up to two weeks.