HPFT partners with Hertfordshire County Council to support people facing financial difficulties

05 Sep 23

HPFT’s Enhanced Primary Mental Health Service (EPMHS) has partnered with Hertfordshire County Council’s (HCC) Money Advice Unit (MAU) to help people whose mental health has been impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. The service has been running since June 2023 and supports service users to access financial support and advice.

It provides personalised holistic care that addresses people’s health and social needs. As financial issues frequently cause or contribute to mental ill health, access to early help is vital to prevent problems from escalating. The service also signposts individuals and their carers to sources of help with issues such as benefits, housing and other financial matters.

One service user said: “I couldn't have asked for a better service. (The team) has made my life so much easier by taking away the stress and anxiety of taking on the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP). This has made a huge difference to my mental health.”

Since the partnership began, HPFT’s Enhanced Primary Mental Health Service (EPMHS) has made 193 referrals to the MAU Advisers. This has resulted in weekly benefits of £4,110 (£213,720 per year) so far. There has also been an additional £23,064 in ‘one-off’ payments and arrears of benefits.

The partnership between HPFT and HCC’s Money Advice Unit is part of a wider piece of work being led by the Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism Health and Care Partnership (MHLDA) in conjunction with Hertfordshire County Council’s (HCC) Cost of Living Mental Health group. The group has joined other community partners and people with lived experiences to provide a joint response to the mental health impact of the cost-of-living crisis through:

Ensuring that people with existing mental illness can access the advice and support they need in relation to cost of living problems and ensure they are safeguarded from abuse and neglect.

Promoting the mental and emotional wellbeing of the population to prevent mental health problems related to the stress and anxiety brought about by the current cost of living pressures.

If you’d like to learn more about the Hertfordshire Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism Health and Care Partnership, click here or email Ed Knowles, Development Director at: ed.knowles@nhs.net

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HPFT partners with Hertfordshire County Council to support people facing financial difficulties