.Cliff Edge Coalition NI has produced a response based on submissions by member orgs Housing Rights Law Centre NI Women's Support Net & UlsterUni LawClinic. Please feel free to use it to inform your own response or email us at Cliff Edge to add your endorsement to this one.
DEADLINE: 29 September.

We are deeply concerned that restrictions on the Discretionary Support scheme will intensify poverty for those who are already struggling.

Read our response to Communities NI current consultation on changes to the Discretionary Support Scheme.

lawcentreni.org/news/cliff-edg…

Comment from Renters' Voice: Northern Ireland Housing Executive cutting key social security payments that many tenants consider to be a vital lifeline – viewdigital.org/comment-northe…

Read the full story here: belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-…

Thanks to Liam Tunney ✍️ Belfast Telegraph for covering the removal of DS payments from thousands of people due to the inadequate budget provided by Chris Heaton-Harris MP. Due to lack of funds during a brutal Cost-of-Living Crisis it is likely that homelessness and destitution will increase.

Really shocking figures from CAP NI.

A third of adults in Northern Ireland feel they have become financially insecure.

capuk.org/news-and-blog/…

This #InternationalDayOfCharity we want to celebrate our volunteers. 👏

They contribute so much every day, whether that’s providing emergency food, completing essential admin tasks or raising vital donations.

To put it simply: we couldn’t do what we do without volunteers. 💚

Rising energy prices, soaring food costs and other cost of living pressures mean that many families in Northern Ireland are struggling to make ends meet.

Urgent measures are needed to strengthen the current benefit system to ensure the situation does not worsen further.

💬 'It's unacceptable for the Assembly to sit in a deep freeze while children across NI spend every day buckling under the strain of caring and poverty.'

Our Public Affairs Manager Craig Harrison comments on the #CarerPovertyCommissionNI 's new research.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-…

🚨 Today we're publishing the latest research report from the #CarerPovertyCommissionNI , examining experiences of poverty among child and young adult carers in Northern Ireland with Action for Children NI and WPI Economics.

📑 Report: carersuk.org/media/xm1dudzh…
🧵 Key findings thread 👇

Rising energy prices, soaring food costs and other cost of living pressures mean that many families in Northern Ireland are struggling to make ends meet.

Urgent measures are needed to strengthen the current benefit system to ensure the situation does not worsen further.

Our asks are designed to protect people and families in financial crisis - those who are struggling to cope with the cost of essentials.

One in three parents borrow money to afford their child’s school uniform, according to Save the Children NI poll - viewdigital.org/one-in-three-p…

Looking forward to publishing the latest Carer Poverty Commission NI research on 4 September, which will examine young carers' experiences of poverty in Northern Ireland. Keep your eyes peeled on the Carers NI page on Monday morning!

You might be worried if you’ve recently got a letter to say your DHP award has ended or been reduced. Contact us if you’re worried about how this will affect you. We can talk you through your options to avoid falling behind on rent.
☎️90 245640
💻housingrights.org.uk

Want to find out more about our campaign and why it matters?

You can read more about the work of the Cliff Edge Coalition and our three asks here 👇

lawcentreni.org/cliff-edge-coa…

Our advisers can help if you’re having issues paying for your home. They’ll talk you through your options and ease the worry of trying to keep your roof over your head for you and your family during this difficult time.

☎️ 028 9024 5640
💻housingrights.org.uk/housing-advice

With devastating cuts to the Discretionary Support budget, which provides emergency support to the most vulnerable people, it is vital that we have a functioning Executive in Northern Ireland to protect those on the lowest income.

#FollowFriday
Cliff Edge Coalition NI
Housing Rights
Law Centre NI
Women's Support Net
Northern Ireland Anti Poverty Network
Over the next month we will be working hard to highlight the consequences of cuts to Discretionary Support & Disocretionary Housing Payments #PovertyCrisis #Homelessness

Just out of a Cliff Edge Coalition NI meeting. We are very shocked at the decision to remove Discretionary Housing Payments from a significant number of people and the cuts to Discretionary Support - both measures implemented without proper adherence to EQIA processes. We are taking action.