Clare joined the HELP Project in November 2010.  She came to the project wanting help with finding employment and improving her English.
 
Clare is a single parent with 2 young children and had her mother living with her too as a visitor from Colombia.  Clare had previously suffered domestic violence and was in TA due to this for just over 8 months.
 
In the meeting with the HELP Adviser, Clare discussed how she had no work experience in this country but had worked as a Project Manager in Colombia.  She wanted to work in customer service and needed support with writing a CV and job searching.  From the off set, Clare was concerned about her financial situation and how if she was employed how it would affect her.  The HELP Adviser discussed in full DHP at this point and assured the client that she would get support from the HELP Project in applying for all the in work support benefits available as well as helping with creating a CV.  Clare was also referred to Westminster Adult Education Services for part time ESOL course.
 
The client was in talks with a friend about her potential job as a Project Manager at Citibank.  The Adviser informed that this would be a good opportunity as her friend was offering flexible hours which worked perfectly with Clare’s family.
 
Clare started work a couple of months later at Citibank and the HELP Adviser supported Clare with Working Tax Credits, return to work credits and DHP.
 
After applying for DHP, Clare was awarded the full DHP shortfall of £118.79 a week and this was due to her being unemployed for over 6 months.  Clare was advised that DHP was for 6 months and then to apply again.  During this time, the HELP Adviser also advised Clare of the changes to Housing Benefit in April and explained that Clare will not be affected until April 2013 as she was in temporary accommodation.  At this point, Clare stated she was in private accommodation.  It was then highlighted that Clare had taken a Fresh Start Grant from HOS which meant HOS no longer had a duty work with her.  After looking into this further, it was also pointed out that Clare had no deposit on the property as none was required when she moved in through HOS.  This meant if Clare was to move out in April 2011 due to the housing benefits cap, she would not have any deposit for a new property.  The HELP Adviser advised to negotiate the rent with her landlord and that whilst DHP covered the shortfall in rent, to save as much money for her future.
 
Clare started her English course at WAES in February 2011 too.  Clare is really happy with the support she received from HELP and stated.
                                                                                    
 “I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for your advice.  HELP Project has been a good guide for me and a real effective support in order to move forward with my life.  I am a lone parent with two kids, and I was looking forward to starting work.  However I needed professional help to improve my CV, and at the same time a guide to know what was the better option to find a job which would let me share time with my kids.  I also wanted to know which benefits I was entitled to receive under the new circumstances and how it will affect the rent. 
 
Thanks to your support I did find a good job.  I am working part time and I can share my time with my kids and I can work it out with Housing Options the best solution for me and my kids.”