Free Impartial Confidential Independent
Mid & East Antrim Community Advice Services helps people resolve their debt, benefits, housing, legal, discrimination, employment, immigration, consumer and other problems and is available to everyone regardless of race, gender, sexuality, age, nationality, disability or religion.
Mid & East Antrim Community Advice Services is a registered charity core funded by Mid & East Antrim Borough Council. We receive other funding from projects such as Welfare Reform, Pension Wise, Money Advice Service and Mid & East Antrim Age Well Partnership, as well as donations from the public.
- Independent – We are an independent charity working in partnership with others to improve access to advice;
- Free – Our services are free;
- Confidential – The client’s visit and the nature of their enquiry are not divulged to anyone outside Mid & East Antrim Community Advice Services;
- Impartial – Mid & East Antrim Community Advice Services puts the client’s interest first and provides information, advice and assistance to enable people to make informed decisions.
Our Aims
- To ensure that individuals do not suffer through lack of knowledge of their rights and responsibilities or of the services available to them, or through an inability to express their needs effectively;
- To exercise a responsible influence on the development of social policies and services, both locally and nationally.
Opening Hours
Monday
10am - 4pm Larne
Tuesday
10am - 4pm Larne
Wednesday
10am - 4pm Larne
Thursday
10am - 4pm Larne
Friday
10am - 4pm Larne
Telephone lines open Mon-Fri
10am - 4pm
Latest News
MEACAS Offices Closing for Easter
We will be closing on Friday 29th March 2024 for Easter. Our Ballymena office will be open until 3pm and the telephone lines will be closing at 4pm. […]
Carrickfergus office closing
From 29th March 2024 MEACAS office will be closing in Carrickfergus.Our contact telephone for telephone advice/appeals/debt and appointments for form completion remains the same 028 9600 1333 available […]
If you have been affected by the changes to the eligibility to the Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) and are not in receipt of Pension Credit then give us a call or drop us an email and we will carry out a benefit check to see if there is an entitlement to Pension Credit.
Pension Credit can be backdated up to 3 months so applying before 21st December 2024 could bring you into entitlement for the WFP.
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We are experiencing an unprecedented high call volume and if you are unable to get through by phone or are contacting us out of hours then you can email the advice team at advice@meacas.com
Remember to include your name, postcode and a contact number and details of your query.
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For free, impartial and confidential debt advice contact Amy on:
02890020718 or
Email: amy.thompson@meacas.com
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Tankus you for help me please tankus you 🙏
Universal Credit and Help with Health Costs.
Are you claiming Universal Credit? You may be able to get help with dental, optical and travel costs but you will not get this automatically.
Complete and return a HC1 Help with Health Costs form to your local Jobs & Benefits office to check if you are eligible. You will not get help with these costs until after you send the form and get confirmation that you are eligible.
See more details at www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/help-health-costs
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We are recruiting for a variety of roles throughout Mid & East Antrim.
For more information or to apply email julia.cleeland@meacas.com stating the role or roles that you are interested in and we will send you an application pack.
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🥳 WE ARE BACK! 🥳
Woodlands Food Table and Potters House are back open again tomorrow after a short break.
🎱 Billy’s been practicing his pool table skills and eager to take on those who think they’re good enough. 💪
☕️ And we are hoping Bobby hasn’t forgotten how to work the coffee machine. 😅
To be honest, we have missed the place and seeing your friendly faces each week. If you haven’t joined us before, please do call in and say hello and stay for a cuppa.
🛍️ And as usual, our pre-packed food bags are available for any families who are struggling and need a little helping hand.
Each bag consists of basic food items such as cereal, tea/coffee, pasta/rice and sauce, some tinned items and a pack of biscuits.
⏰ We open from 10am-12:30pm.
Can’t wait to see you all. 👋👋👋
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A budget planner can show you where your money is going and will help you to you save for unexpected bills, Christmas or just for a rainy day.
Check out our FREE budget planner to help kick start your journey. www.adviceni.net/sites/default/files/2023-03/Advice-NI-Budget-Planner.pdf
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Hello 👋 hi
Tankus you
Help me please 🙏 😢 😭 tankus you for help me please tankus you 🙏
Don't forget to make your application for the School Uniform Grant and Free School Meals. It can take 4 to 5 weeks for your application to be processed so don't leave it too late.
You can apply online from the link below 👇
Apply for Free School Meals / Uniform Grants
www.eani.org.uk
Free School Meals / Uniform Grants Application information and process.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Are you needing some small jobs completed?
Thanks to funding from Mid & East Antrim Community Planning Partners, our Handyperson Service is available to older people aged 60 and over!
Please call the Agewell Office on 028 2565 8604 for more information.
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We are currently recruiting for volunteers and if you have a few hours to spare each week and would like to do something worthwhile, why not volunteer for us.
Experience is not necessary as full training will be given. We also welcome applications from experienced advisors or those who have been away from advice and would like to rejoin the advice sector.
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Tankus you for help me Tankus you 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋
Hello help me please 🙏 😢 😭
Our new office has opened in Broughshane from today 1st July for all our Ballymena clients and appointments are available Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm.
Contact us on 02896 001333 option 3 to make an appointment.
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We are celebrating our past and present volunteers during this Volunteer Week, which runs from June 1st to June 7th.
Mid & East Antrim Community Advice Services would not be able to provide the quality services we offer without the invaluable contributions of our volunteers. A big thank you to each and every one of you who have given of your time to volunteer with us, we couldn’t do it without you 👏👏
#VolunteersWeek #VolunteersWeek2023 #celebrateandinspire #thankyouvolunteers
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Volunteer recruitment now open. Closing date Friday 16th June.
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Volunteer recruitment now open for our Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne offices.
Closing date Friday 16th June at 4pm.
Volunteers are vital for us to be able to offer the full range of services that we do and applications are open to anyone who has some spare time and would like to help the local community.
No experience necessary as full training will be given.
To apply or for more information, please contact us on the email in the flyer below 👇
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Meacas along with a number of other support agencies will be in attendance at the Rural Support Clinic this Friday in Glenlough Community Centre, Carnlough from 10am to 2pm.
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Hi
We are working for the fourth year with Habitat for Humanity to deliver the MEA Christmas Toy Container project. This project is involves inviting local residents to drop off pre-loved / unwanted toys to our 5 Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) and 3 Leisure Centres throughout November / December 2022. These toys are then provided to the local community at a very reasonable price.
Habitat are hosting a pop up shop in our Carrick and Larne Pop Up Shops next week and the following week where they will be offering toy at a very reasonable price!
· Pop Up Shop in Carrickfergus (De Courcy Centre) on Tuesday 29 November 2022; and
· Pop Up Shop in Larne (Main Street) on 6 December 2022.
Why not pop in and pick up a Christmas bargain for a little (or big!) one?
#meactiononenvironment #meachristmastoycontainer2022
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Are you interested in volunteering? Why not pop into the Tower Centre today and have a chat with Suzy about the opportunities available.
We have a number of volunteer positions available in our Ballymena, Carrick and Larne offices for various positions including reception and trainee advisers.
We also have some new volunteering opportunities within the new community hub which is due to open soon in Ballymena which include delivery drivers, meet and greet volunteers and volunteer cooks.
If you have some spare time and would like to volunteer then either come along to the Tower Centre today or give us a call for more information on 02896 001333.
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See the below offers that some businesses are doing to help with the cost of living.
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Our Ballymena office phones and internet are currently down. We are currently working to try and resolve this issue. Please be patient and thank you for your understanding.
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To contact Action Fraud please follow this link: www.actionfraud.police.uk/
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You may be eligible for one, or more, of these Cost of Living Support Payments if you get certain benefits or tax credits.
You do not need to do anything to apply. If you are eligible, you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you receive your normal benefit payments or tax credits.
These additional cost of living payments will be made separately from your normal payments. They are not taxable and will not affect any of the benefits or tax credits you get.
To be eligible for the first Cost of Living Payment of £326, you will need to have been entitled to (or later become entitled to) one of the following benefits for any day in the period 26 April 2022 to 25 May 2022:
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income Support
Pension Credit
Universal Credit
The first cost of living payment of £326 will be paid to most eligible people in Northern Ireland from 20 July onwards - these payments will continue until the end of July.
Those on Tax Credits will receive payments in Autumn.
www.nidirect.gov.uk
A cost of living support package has been put in place for 2022 that includes one-off payments to those on income related benefits, disabled claimants and pensioners. These payments are intended to pr...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Come to our stall at the Wellington Court Job Fair from 12pm to 2pm today and have a chat!
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Some information for those living in Housing Executive properties regarding a recent scam. Read article below for more information.
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Details about the new mileage rate for Health Trust staff in article below.
Health Minister increases HSC mileage rate
www.health-ni.gov.uk
Health Minister Robin Swann has announced a mileage rate increase for Health Trust staff.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Hargey confirms cost-of-living payments
Hargey confirms cost-of-living payments
www.communities-ni.gov.uk
Direct cost-of-living payments of up to £650 will be made to those in greatest need over the coming weeks, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has0 CommentsComment on Facebook
McIlveen announces £12.6m summer holiday food grant
McIlveen announces £12.6m summer holiday food grant
www.education-ni.gov.uk
Families of children entitled to a free school meal will receive a school holiday food grant this summer, Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Information regarding giving and receiving notice to quit regarding tenancy.
You have to let your landlord know if you want to move out of your rented home. The law says you do this in writing a certain amount of time before the date you move out. This written notice is called a "notice to quit".
Landlords should also give tenants written notice to quit if they want a tenant to move out.
More information in the article below.
Giving and receiving Notice to Quit
www.housingadviceni.org
You have to let your landlord know if you want to move out of your rented home. The law says you do this in writing a certain amount of time before the date you move out. This written notice is called...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Previously announced Child Funeral Scheme has come in to operation today.
Details in the link provided.
Child Funeral Fund operational from today - Hargey
www.communities-ni.gov.uk
A Child Funeral Fund announced by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey in March has come into operation today (June 1 2022).0 CommentsComment on Facebook
URGENT CLOSING DATE 7th JUNE
If you are interested in this opportunity then follow the instructions below.
#Jobstart opportunities with Mid and East Antrim Community Advice Services
The JobStart scheme, run by the #departmentforcommunities has developed to help people ages 16 to 24 to get into the job market through a six-month paid employment opportunity.
Six roles are available at MEACAS two for each of our offices in Ballymena, Carrickfergus, and Larne.
📌 Ballymena - tinyurl.com/4chv5rvn
📌 Carrickfergus - tinyurl.com/5n96nbfy
📌 Larne - tinyurl.com/yc3pwz6s
If you are on UC, contact your Work Coach via your Journal. If you are in receipt of JSA, IS or ESA phone a Work Coach on 0300 200 7807. If you are 18-24 years and not in receipt of benefits phone 028 9072 6797 to check if you are eligible for the Scheme.
#Jobstart #jobsbenefitsni #meacas #midandeastantrim #jobapplyni
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#Jobstart opportunities with Mid and East Antrim Community Advice Services
The JobStart scheme, run by the #departmentforcommunities has developed to help people ages 16 to 24 to get into the job market through a six-month paid employment opportunity.
Six roles are available at MEACAS two for each of our offices in Ballymena, Carrickfergus, and Larne.
📌 Ballymena - tinyurl.com/4chv5rvn
📌 Carrickfergus - tinyurl.com/5n96nbfy
📌 Larne - tinyurl.com/yc3pwz6s
If you are on UC, contact your Work Coach via your Journal. If you are in receipt of JSA, IS or ESA phone a Work Coach on 0300 200 7807. If you are 18-24 years and not in receipt of benefits phone 028 9072 6797 to check if you are eligible for the Scheme.
#Jobstart #jobsbenefitsni #meacas #midandeastantrim #jobapplyni
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Ukraine Assistance Centres
The following arrangements have been put in place for the opening of the #Ukraine Assistance Centres.
Those attending will need to bring ID and proof of the scheme under which they are registered.
More information: www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/support-ukraine
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough | Ards and North Down Borough Council | Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council | Belfast City Council | Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council | Derry City & Strabane District Council | Fermanagh and Omagh District Council | Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council | Mid and East Antrim Borough Council | Mid Ulster District Council | Newry, Mourne and Down District Council | Department of Finance | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs | Department for the Economy NI | Department of Education NI | Department of Justice NI | Department for Infrastructure
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Free School Meals – Easter Break Payment
Families entitled to free school meals will receive a payment to support meals during the Easter break.
This will be paid to your bank account (if details are available) or by cheque week commencing 11 April 2022.
FAQs in the link below.
Free School Meals / Uniform Grants
www.eani.org.uk
Information on Free School Meals and Uniform Grant to include eligibility, how to apply for support in the current year (2021 -2022) and contact details.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Some informaton on a new fund to help with funeral costs for those that have unfortunately lost a child.
The Child Funeral Fund will offer a one-off payment of £3,056 after the death of a child under 18.
The money will also be made available in the event of a still birth after 24 weeks.
The fund is not means-tested and will be available to all families regardless of their financial situation.
More information below.
Child funeral fund: Families in Northern Ireland to receive payments
www.bbc.co.uk
The new fund will offer one-off payments of £3,056 to families following the death of a child.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Some information regarding PCR testing. See linked article for details.
Covid-19: Free PCR tests to end for most in April
www.bbc.co.uk
Lateral flow tests will remain free for now, but routine contact tracing is to be phased out.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
A couple in Armagh has fallen victim to scammers claiming to be Police Officers from the Police ‘Fraud Squad’.
Legitimate businesses will not ask you for your banking information over the phone. Be wary if someone on the phone claims to be a bank or other provider.
Avoid clicking links you receive in text messages; some scammers will pretend to be courier services such as DHL or Royal Mail and will send you a text claiming you have not paid your postage for example. If you are suspicious of a text you have received you should not reply or provide any personal information.
If you have been a victim of scamming you can contact us for advice on 028 9600 1333 or email us advice@meacas.com
You can also report a scam to the Action Fraud link below.
www.actionfraud.police.uk/
Couple scammed out of £77,000 by 'fraud squad'
www.bbc.co.uk
Police are warning people to be on their guard after the couple were conned over the telephone.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Are you struggling with the increased cost of living?
Have you checked that your benefit entitlement is up to date?
Even if you are employed on a low income you may be entitled to some help.
Contact us us for a benefit check with any of the numbers below alternatively you can email us at advice@meacas.com
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