Welfare

It is the aim of the BCS to help those in need in whatever way we can, whatever the nature of that need. Apart from people who have financial difficulties, there are people who need moral support and/or are lonely and would like just someone to talk to or to support them through a temporary or longer-term problem.

When some people join the BCS they ask us, “Well, what do you have to offer us?” Surely a good citizen should be asking: “What have I got to offer? How can I help in our community?” Well, we can always do with more help both financially and in practical ways. If, apart from joining the BCS, you can help financially or otherwise we will always be very grateful.

Please speak to any member of the Welfare Committee about how you might be involved in active service.

The Welfare Committee’s role is to discuss requests for help, and then to ensure that help is put into action, reviewed and evaluated at regular intervals.

The committee works under some clear guidelines, which stipulate whom we can and cannot help. Clearly, with many demands and limited resources, such criteria are essential.

Anyone can make a referral for help to the BCS Welfare Committee (in complete confidence), and all requests will be carefully considered.

In accordance with the Statutes, “Each year the Council shall decide upon a budget to be observed by the Welfare Committee subject to a monthly maximum to be disbursed at the discretion of the Chairman of the Committee. Any disbursements exceeding the budget or the defined maximum shall require prior authorization by the Council. All amounts expended must be informed to the Council.”

Based on the above, the BCS Welfare Committee has a discretionary value that can be used for cases that need small but timely help. More complicated cases that require expenditure over the limits established in the guidelines are referred for approval to BCS Council.

Given the level of resources in hand, the BCS Welfare Guidelines are designed to assist those eligible through an emergency of reasonably short duration (one year).

A British Citizen with “right of abode” in the UK can request Social Security Benefits. The application and awarding of benefit is means tested and the criteria applied on an individual basis according to the law.

The law establishes the amount an individual requires to live on. The criteria will vary according to NI (National Insurance) contributions and those British subjects living abroad may not be subject to the full Benefit scheme upon arrival if they have not been regular NI contributors. Nevertheless, in spite of the usual moans from the general public, if one is genuinely in need the British Benefit system is comparatively generous and can be an important source of help.

A number of government agencies have been merged together in recent years – Education – Pensions – Benefits – Employment to form the Department of Work and Pensions, www.dwp.gov.uk where full details of all the Benefits and Services can be found.

The BCS has a register of members who were in extreme difficulty and unable to continue their lives in Rio de Janeiro and have successfully returned to the UK and applied for assistance. Should any community member require more details, please consult the BCS Office, who will pass you on to a member of the BCS Welfare Committee for full information on a case-by-case basis. To quote from an actual example of somebody who saw returning to the UK as the best alternative for her “terceira idade”, the most important aspects are visiting the local Council, the Job Centre and the local GP. In a very short time Pension Credit Applications, Crisis Loans, Freedom Pass and other documents can be arranged, ensuring a decent standard of living.

The BCS through its Welfare Committee is structuring a “Care in the Community Service” along on the lines of the UK, “Citizens Advice Bureau”. At present this service is working as follows;

• If you need help of some kind, call Christ Church or the BCS Office and speak to the secretary.
• Depending on your requirements, they will pass you to a member of the Welfare Committee who has knowledge of your particular situation and can offer guidance.
• If you need professional help (legal – medical – social assistance etc.), the Welfare Committee will try to find knowledgeable volunteers who, in the first instance, may be able to offer free time and professional guidance.

Let us know what you would like to do to help those who are less fortunate:

• Would you like to organise card a fund-raising event?
• How about paying visits, or organising a team of visitors?
• What about a book club with a delivery service?
• What else can you think of doing for the Community?
• Can you share your own experience in resolving problems, especially those related to age and infirmity or bereavement?