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 Ballymena, Carrick & Larne
Tuesday
10am - 4pm Ballymena, Carrick & Larne
Wednesday
10am - 4pm Ballymena, Carrick & Larne
Thursday
10am - 4pm Ballymena, Carrick & Larne
Friday
10am - 4pm Ballymena & Larne
Latest News
Free School Uniform pop-up shops now open across Mid and East Antrim
Our Pop-up shops are now open across Mid and East Antrim. Pictured below are Michele Campbell Operations Director MEACAS, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Ald Noel Williams […]
Scam Calls
We have had reports of people receiving calls from a Larne number beginning with 02828 8983 claiming to be from Citizens Advice stating that if they don’t pay […]
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.
Our Pop-up shops are now open across Mid and East Antrim. Pictured below are Michele Campbell Operations Director MEACAS, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Ald Noel Williams and Jackie Patton Head of Community Planning and Development Mid and East Antrim.
To date, a total of 1,916 items have been collected by 474 families with an estimated total saving of £16,762
The uniforms are free to collect throughout August 2022 across three locations from 10 – 4 Monday to Friday (closed for lunch 1-1:30). Shops below:
Ballymena – Tower Centre
Carrickfergus – De Courcy Centre #midandeastantrimi#ballymena
#Carrickfergust#Larnea#freeschooluniformsg#meaLarne #freeschooluniforms #MEA
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...
To all our Carrickfergus clients
Thanks to Ulida Intergrated school and Woodburn Primary for their kind donation of uniforms.
These uniforms along with other uniforms from Carrickfergus schools will be distributed from our Office from 18th July and from our pop up shop in the De Courcy centre during August everything Free of Charge.
Call Leah on 07712163954
10am -4pm to pre order
To all our Carrickfergus clients Thanks to Ulida Intergrated school and Woodburn Primary for their kind donation of uniforms. These uniforms along with other uniforms from Carrickfergus schools will be distributed from our Office from 18th July and from our pop up shop in the De Courcy centre during August everything Free of Charge. Call Leah on 07712163954 10am -4pm to pre order
Can I drop of Carrickfergus academy uniform? Great condition, thanks
This number is saying not vaild
Come to our stall at the Wellington Court Job Fair from 12pm to 2pm today and have a chat!
Some information for those living in Housing Executive properties regarding a recent scam. Read article below for more information.
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.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 hasMcIlveen 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 has
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...
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).
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
#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
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
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.
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.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.
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.
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
Some simple tips from National Energy Action NI and the Consumer Council NI about how to reduce your heating bills.
Energy Support Payments will begin on Friday 11th March. You will be enrolled automatically if you are on an eligible benefit. See article below for more information.
Energy bills: One-off support payment delayed by one day
www.bbc.co.uk
A payment of £200 was to made on Thursday but this will not happen due to a "technical glitch".B Mc Quillan
David Melvin
=Getting Control of Your Finances=
Mid and East Antrim Community Advice Services is apart of the Debt NI project, we have two experienced debt advisers Mary and Jakki working across the whole of Mid and East Antrim who can help you so please reach out by texting debt to 88440, email us on advice@meacas.com or call us on 02896001333. We are here to help.
Payments for this scheme are expected to begin on 10th March.
www.communities-ni.gov.uk/news/energy-payment-starting-next-week
So I am a disabled person and I get PIP. I also work part time. I don’t get any of those benefits so am I excluded? Am I being discriminated against for being disabled?
B Mc Quillan David Melvin
Some information for those with small businesses. An extension of the business rates holiday has been confirmed, alongside a discount for small businesses.
More info in the article below.
Covid-19: NI businesses to get £50m rates support package
www.bbc.co.uk
An extension of the business rates holiday and discounts for small businesses is confirmed.Cost of living: Fares freeze for public transport
Cost of living: Fares freeze for public transport
www.bbc.co.uk
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon says she hopes the move will help people facing rising costs.
For those that need to file a Self Assessment tax return please remember that you have until 28th of February to avoid penalties.
More information in the article below.
File your Self Assessment tax return by 28 February to avoid penalties
www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk
HM Revenue & Customs gave customers extra time until 28 February 2022 to file their return in order to avoid a late filing penalty
Rents for Northern Ireland Housing Executive properties to be frozen for the coming financial year.
More information in the article below.
NI Housing Executive: Rent freeze for tenants announced
www.bbc.co.uk
The communities minister says it will help support residents during the "cost-of-living crisis".You can also find more info @ www.communities-ni.gov.uk/news/minister-hargey-freezes-housing-executive-rents
Remaining restrictions to be lifted. More info in the article below.
Covid-19: Remaining restrictions in NI to be lifted on Tuesday
www.bbc.co.uk
The mandatory wearing of face coverings is among restrictions being scrapped on Tuesday.News regarding welfare mitigations that are currently in place in Northern Ireland, these mitigations are set to continue. See article below for further information.
Bedroom tax: MLAs vote to extend welfare mitigations indefinitely
www.bbc.co.uk
The bill will ensure people in Northern Ireland who have been affected by bedroom tax get top-up payments.
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
Billy Mcclements
--Adviser Discretionary Fund--
If you are looking into employment then the Adviser Discretionary Fund is something that you could be entitled to, this is a non-repayable grant for those that have barriers to entry regarding employment, you can get up to £1,500 within a 12 month period. This grant is available through your work coach and whether you get it is at the advisers discretion.
This grant can be used for the following:
• help towards training costs
• help with the cost of travelling to work
• help to take up a job offer, including help with the cost of pre-work checks or professional registration fees
• help to increase hours of employment
• help to start up in self-employment or to keep self-employment going following COVID-19
• help with childcare costs (including upfront childcare costs) in certain circumstances
Regarding childcare costs the fund can help by
If childcare costs are a barrier to moving into work, recommencing employment or significantly increasing their hours, parents may be able to receive help through the Adviser Discretion Fund (ADF) for upfront childcare costs of up to £1,500.
• the money will be paid directly to a registered childcare provider only
• a receipt for the upfront childcare costs paid through the ADF can also be submitted for the purposes of calculating the parent’s Universal Credit entitlement
• a parent can make more than one application within a 12 month period, for example if they start a job which later ends, and then start a new job within the same 12 month period. However, the maximum overall limit for the ADF is £1,500 in any 12 month period
You may be eligible to access ADF if you are:
• age 16 years old and a lone parent
or
• receiving one of the following benefits:
o Jobseeker’s Allowance (including National Insurance credits only)
o New Style JSA
o Incapacity Benefit
o Employment and Support Allowance
o New Style ESA
o Income Support
o Universal Credit
o Pension Credit
o Maternity Allowance
o Carer’s Allowance
o Carer’s Credit
o Working Tax Credits
o Housing Benefit
• or if you receive one of the above benefits and are intending to take up additional hours or an additional job to allow you to progress in work
• or if your partner is receiving one of the above benefits
See the link for futher information.
www.nidirect.gov.uk
If you are unemployed and facing financial barriers to starting or returning to work or if you’re in employment or self-employment and also face financial difficulties, your local Jobs and Benefits ...Ciara Ann Docherty Ciara Docherty
Unfortunately there are those out there willing to take advantage of peoples generosity and kindness, scamming has been a large problem over the past few years with scammers using anything they can to try and get you to part with your money. Remember never give any information to strangers over the phone, your bank should never text you asking for important details. If you believe you are being scammed hang up right away and use the following channels to report it;
• Email - if you feel unsure about an email you have received, you can forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Services at report@phishing.gov.uk
• Website - If you have come across a website which you think is fake, you can report it here - www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/about-this-website/report-scam-website
• Text message - Report suspicious text messages for free to 7726. Your provider can investigate the text and take action if found to be fraudulent.
If you think someone is impersonating your bank then hang up and call them with the number on the back of your card or on their website, always check the web address for example Danske Banks website is danskebank.co.uk/personal , if the link looks suspicious it probably is such as www2 instead of www.
WhatsApp scam: More than £65,000 lost over fake 'family member' messages
www.bbc.co.uk
Fraudsters have been contacting people pretending to be family and asking them to send money.
Energy Payment Support Scheme
A one-off payment of £200 will be made to those automatically that are on the qualifying benefits. Below the eligibility will be listed however please be aware that the criteria may be updated in the future and we will try and keep you informed of any changes.
• Universal Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support
Allowance
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance; or
• Income Support
Payments will be made to individuals.
Individuals living in care homes are not eligible for this payment.
Joe Balmer
B Mc Quillan
If you require advice and would rather not use a phone line, you can contact us by text using WhatsApp(text only) or alternatively you can send us an email, please tell us your name and address aswell as a run down of your query and we will respond to you as soon as possible.
Email – advice@meacas.com
WhatsApp – 07876327700
Energy Payment Support Scheme
A one-off payment of £200 will be made to those automatically that are on the qualifying benefits. Below the eligibility will be listed however please be aware that the criteria may be updated in the future and we will try and keep you informed of any changes.
• Universal Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support
Allowance
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance; or
• Income Support
Payments will be made to individuals.
Individuals living in care homes are not eligible for this payment.
How do I apply for this
Robert McAuley
If you have been affected by Covid you may be able to receive Discretionary Support which is a non-repayable grant available to those who are in a crisis situation and require essential items such as a short-term supply of groceries, repair or replacement of household items for example a cooker, to pay for travel expenses in specified circumstances.
Only three Discretionary support loans to provide help with short-term living expenses or these other forms of expenditure may be awarded to a person in any rolling 12-month period. The amount awarded will take into account a person’s ability to repay and the amount of money a person owes will be restricted to a maximum £1,500 of government debt.
One Discretionary Support grant to provide assistance to a person or their immediate family to allow them to remain or begin living independently in the community may be awarded to a person in any rolling 12-month period.
Once you have filled out the form a decision maker will review the claim and decide if they will award the grant.
If you need help regarding our contact info is provided below as well as a link to the Discretionary Support form.
www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/claim-discretionary-support
Vicki Mcallister
Tanya Mcallister
For those that are self-employed or a partner in a business partnership, your self assessment tax return must be in by the end of this month (Jan 31st)
Due to Covid you will not be penalised as long as you submit before the 28th February 2022
You will pay a penalty if you are late unless you have a reasonable excuse and you must have registered with HMRC to be able to make the return
You’ll get a penalty if you need to send a tax return and you miss the deadline for submitting it or paying your bill.
You’ll pay a late filing penalty of £100 if your tax return is up to 3 months late. You’ll have to pay more if it’s later, or if you pay your tax bill late.
You’ll be charged interest on late payments.
Estimate your penalty for Self Assessment tax returns more than 3 months late, and late payments.
For more information please see the following link below
www.gov.uk
Self Assessment tax returns - deadlines, who must send a tax return, penalties, corrections and returns for someone who has died