#SSI - Workers Unsure On Benefits
Middlesbrough Council say former SSI workers could end up in debt because they aren't aware of the benefits they could be entitled to.
They've been providing extra support for the town's residents affected by the closure of the plant in Redcar.
On Wednesday morning, Middlesbrough House was opened up especially to handle the welfare claims of people made unemployed by the steel crisis.
The council told us SSI claims will be given priority, meaning if a claim is received on Wednesday, the claimant will have their money the following Monday.
It's believed around 400 people from Middlesbrough are directly affected by the closure of the plant, but numbers rise when looking at job losses in the supply chain.
The council fear many workers won't know they could be entitled to help paying their council tax and housing costs.
Cllr Nicky Walker, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Finance and Governance, said:
“I understand how many of the people affected have never had to deal with anything like the benefits system before and may struggle to understand the processes involved with it.
We are targeting SSI workers and those in related industries in the hope we can deal with their rights and any claim that needs to be made on the day they attend.
Some people may have rather complex financial issues and also there is a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding about welfare entitlements, but whatever the circumstances we would say come along and speak to the experts and get the advice, assistance and benefit owed.”
People attending are asked to bring proof of identity and their National Insurance number so claims can be processed.
The next session will take place between 8:30am and 12:30pm on Wednesday 28th September.