Coronavirus Advice

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This page has been designed to provide up-to-date information, guidance and advice with regards to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you need medical help, please use the 111 online coronavirus service.

Please click here for the Government's stay at home advice and here for more general information.

If you are able to volunteer to help support local people- please go to: https://www.andreajenkyns.co.uk/coronavirus-volunteer 

Follow this link for more advice: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus 

REGULARLY UPDATED GOVERNMENT ADVICE CAN BE FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Government Coronavirus Hotlines - 

Business support & ventilators: 0300 456 3565

HMRC: 0800 015 9559

Universal Credit: 0800 328 5644

School Closures: 0800 046 8687

NEW: Leeds support hub: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus

NEW: Wakefield support hub: http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/about-the-council/coronavirus-information

Age UK Leeds

Age UK Leeds advice service will not be carrying out home visits or offering office appointments or drop in sessions until further notice.

Age UK will continue to provide telephone advice. People can ring 0113 389 3000 and leave their name and number and brief details of their query. Residents will be called back within 5 working days. Residents can also ring the National Age UK Helpline on 0800 678 1602.

Better Leeds Communities

Better Leeds Communities will be supporting people who need advice and support with regard to Debt, Housing and Benefits - via the telephone (they will provide telephone appointments where they will call residents so there is no cost to them) and via email. 

0113 275 4142
info@betterleeds.org.uk
www.betterleeds.org.uk

 

Citizens Advice Leeds

As of 18th March 2020 Citizens Advice Leeds will close face to face services. Resources will be diverted to telephone, email and webchat, available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

Enquiries: 0113 223 4400
www.citizensadviceleeds.org.uk/
Help to Claim: 0800 138 3944

 

DWP

- All office in Leeds are currently open.
- Disabled people will be contacted by web and telephone for appointments.
- There will be no face to face assessments for vulnerable people.
- New claimants will be undertaken over the phone, with ID verification being undertaken this
way.
 

Leeds City Council Housing

If a tenant is affected by Coronavirus, they should ring their Housing Officer to discuss any potential impacts in the usual way.

The Housing Officer will discuss their circumstances and where appropriate agree a revised re-payment plan. If the impact on their income is such that they have eligibility for UC Housing Element or Housing Benefit the Housing Office will advise/support with the claim as required.

0800 188 4000 or HousingEnquiries@leeds.gov.uk

 

Leeds City Council: Council Tax

0113 222 4404 or www.leeds.gov.uk/contact-us

 

Wakefield- Support for business

The Government recently announced business grants for small businesses and cash grants for those in the retail, hospitality and leisure industries, available from 1 April. These will be essential to help support business during the coronavirus outbreak and now all eligible businesses need to do is fill the form in.

The form is available at https://forms.wakefield.gov.uk/Forms/BusinessGrant/BusinessGrantForm.aspx

The Council also has a specific webpage for businesses at https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/business/coronavirus-%E2%80%93-help-for-businesses which has a range of FAQs which also offer help with cash-flow problems, tax liabilities.

Wakefield Council: Money Advice: 

https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/more-money-in-my-pocket/advice-during-coronavirus

Wakefield Citizens Advice: 

Debt, benefits, housing, employment or immigration advice: Call: 03444 111 444

Universial Credit help to claim: 0800 144 8 444

Consumer phone: 0808 223 1133

Age UK Wakefield:

Call 01977 552114

Wakefield Samaritans

Offering a place to talk any time you like, in your own way - about whatever's getting to yu: 01924 116 123 (this is a free number) 

News

Andrea Welcomes Government's Plan for Jobs Budget

I very much welcome the Chancellor’s announcements today. We all know the difficulties that COVID 19 have caused to our economy, with many businesses forced to close to keep people safe during the lockdown period.

Restrictions To Be Relaxed

Key announcements:

Yesterday, the Prime Minister set out further changes to lockdown measures which will enable people to see more of their friends and family, get businesses back on their feet and people back to work.

Shops Open Today- Support Our High Street!

 

 

Support your local high street safely today!

Shops are able to reopen their doors in England, in the next step in our careful easing of lockdown – provided they are meeting robust safety guidelines, keeping staff and customers safe as we get our economy moving again.

Non Essential Shops to Re-Open

Non-essential shops in England will be able to reopen on 15 June, as long as they are COVID-19 secure.

This includes zoos which will help to keep important conservation efforts driving forward. 

Places of Worship to reopen

From 15 June, places of worship will be able to reopen for individual prayer.

Faith and prayer are sources of solace and comfort for millions of people in these uncertain times.

Good News: Eviction Suspension Extended

I am pleased that the Government are suspending evictions from social & private rented accommodation by a further two months.

Eviction hearings will not be heard in courts until the end of August and no-one will be evicted from their home this summer due to coronavirus.

Job Retention Scheme Extended

Today, the Chancellor has announced that the Job Retention Scheme will be extended for four months, until the end of October.

Bounce Back Loans launch today

The new Bounce Back Loans open today. Businesses can apply for up to £50,000 and once approved the money will arrive with days.

They loans are 100% government guaranteed, with no interest, fees or repayments for the first 12 months.