CARF Projects

In addition to the core services carried out by CARF, we also deliver a number of projects across the region, many in partnership with local and national charities. Find out more below about these projects and how they help some of our most vulnerable clients.

Making Justice Work

The aim of the Making Justice Work Project is to provide direct assistance focussed on the resolution of mortgage repossession, tenancy repossession and related debt matters and to provide a service that tackles multiple and serious debt including pre and post-court follow up work. We know that unresolved debt issues are often the target for court action and can lead to people losing their homes and that debt advice is vital to tackle these associated and underlying issues. This project is delivered in partnership with Frontline Fife and Fife Law Centre.

Financial Health Check Workers

Our Financial Health Check (FHC) Workers play a key role in improving access to financial health checks for pregnant mothers across Fife as well as undertaking FHC work that has been identified by the national FHC Helpline. They process and deal with all incoming FHC referrals and deliver the service from a variety of agreed locations. They undertake diagnostic interviews with their clients to determine whether the individuals are eligible to apply for benefits or are entitled to access other income maximisation support.

Cosy Kingdom Project

This project will offer the following assistance to clients:

  • Advice on switching utility providers and different payment methods to benefit the client
  • Assess eligibility and provide advice to clients on initiatives available to improve the energy efficiency rating of their property- this may include help with a replacement boiler, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, draught excluders etc
  • Explain ways the client themselves can make changes within their home to help reduce their fuel bills
  • Income maximisation (e.g. benefit check, entitlement to Warm Home Discount Scheme) plus any help and support to make any applications
  • Refer onwards to external agencies and internally with CARF as appropriate

This project is delivered in partnership with Greener Kirkcaldy and St Andrews Environmental Network.

Making it Work for Single Parent Families in Fife

This is a partnership project between Fife Gingerbread, Fife Councils Client Action Team, One Parent Families Scotland and ourselves. The organisations will provide service users in Kirkcaldy, Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly with support and advice in an effort to increase employability and encourage an increase in the number of people becoming a registered child-minder. CARF's role is to provide increased access to budgeting and other money management skills such as opening and operating a bank account, accessing affordable credit, the role of the credit unions and the benefits of saving for the future. This is in addition to housing, welfare benefit and debt advice.

Macmillan Partnership

The Macmillan Fife Welfare Benefits Advisers offer a free, confidential advice service for people and their families who are living in Fife with a cancer diagnosis. A Macmillan Fife Welfare Benefits adviser can help with

  • Applying for Social Security Benefits and Tax Credits
  • Appealing against benefit decisions
  • Issues with benefits claims such as overpayments
  • Health costs such as prescriptions and travel to hospital
  • Applying for local authority financial support such as clothing grants
  • Accessing charitable grants
  • Applying for transport concessions such as disabled parking badge
  • Applying for housing and council tax benefit

Patient Advice and Support Service

The Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS) provides information, support and advice to clients who wish to raise a concern or complaint about services supplied by, or commissioned by, NHS Fife.

Pop-up Clinics

Pop-up clinics complement the existing core service by meeting demands through clinics in areas which have high numbers of claimants. The Pop-Up Clinics aim to service demand in areas which may be viewed as hard to reach, or areas where there may have been a lack of support agencies in the past. Pop-Up Clinics aim to take CARF services into vulnerable communities and ease the pressures faced by our Frontline Office network.

Armed Services Advice Project

The Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP) has been created to be the focal point for the Armed Forces Community in Scotland for access to advice, information and support.

We have information on a massive range of issues including:

• Benefits-entitlements support with applications and appeals against unfair decisions
• Debt and money advice-debt management, income maximisation
• Housing
• Work-related problems-terms and conditions, dismissal, sickness absence etc.
• Consumer issues
• Relationships-issues relating to splitting up, children, bereavement and other matters

ASAP is provided by the Scottish Citizens Advice Bureau Service and funded by Poppy Scotland, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, The Maritime Charities Funding Group, ABF the Soldiers Charity, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association-Forces Help (SSAFA Forces Help), the Robertson Trust and Turn2us.

Pensionwise

Due to recent changes in legislation regarding access to pension pots, CARF now deliver the Pensionwise Project on behalf of Her Majesty’s Treasury. The project aims to provide guidance to those who may now have access to their pension pots, outline their options, explain tax and fee implications and signpost clients for further advice where necessary.