Barr Benefit Advisory Services

Hello everyone.
The time has come to move to a new chapter in life. I qualified as a counsellor last year and since then I’ve been so blessed to be able to set up in private practice and see this grow. I am unable to keep both roles going so I have decided to wind up the benefits business. With immediate effect I am no longer taking on new clients. Thank you to everyone who supported me over the years and put your trust in me to represent you at appeals. It has been very much appreciated.
Unfortunately I am not aware of anyone else that provides a similar service.
Amanda

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💷 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 & 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬 💷

Struggling with finances or unsure what benefits you’re entitled to? You’re not alone—and help is available 💙

Thanks to funding from the NI Housing Executive Homeless Prevention Fund, Portadown Wellness Centre is delighted to offer 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬 focused on 𝐛𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞.

👥 These sessions are open to:
• People on low income
• Young people leaving care
• Women vulnerable to or experiencing homelessness
• Individuals affected by domestic abuse

📍 When & Where
🗓 Every 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 from 12th January 2026
⏰ 𝟐:𝟎𝟎𝐩𝐦 – 𝟑:𝟎𝟎𝐩𝐦
📌 Portadown Wellness Centre

👩‍💼 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫
Amanda brings years of experience from the NHS and has been a 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 since 2015, trained through Belfast Law Centre. She is also a 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫, offering a supportive, understanding, and confidential approach to every session.

📘 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫
✔️ Managing and budgeting finances
✔️ Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance & Housing Support
✔️ Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
✔️ Universal Credit & sickness benefits
✔️ Appealing benefits decisions
✔️ Support for older people
✔️ Savings and how they affect benefits
✔️ Power of Attorney, wills & more

☕ Plus: Enjoy a 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 during each session in a relaxed, friendly environment.

These workshops are practical, informative, and designed to help you feel more confident and in control of your finances.

📲 To register or find out more:
🔗 https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/MoneyBenefitsSupportWorkshops
📞 0754 537 3413
📧 Email [email protected]

Please share—this support could make a real difference to someone who needs it.

Housing Executive
Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council Verve Healthy Living Network
Edgarstown Residents Association Drumcree Centre
Irwin's Bakery MessyPlay NI Moy Park Chicken
Community Foundation for Northern Ireland

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𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 💬💙

We’re proud to announce that, thanks to the 𝐍𝐈𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝, Portadown Wellness Centre can now offer up to 𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 for people in our community who are feeling vulnerable or at risk of homelessness.

We’re here to support:
✅ Young people leaving care
✅ Women facing or experiencing chronic homelessness
✅ Individuals affected by domestic abuse
✅ People being released from prison
✅ Anyone on low income or struggling financially

Our team of 4 caring, confidential, and professional counsellors are ready to listen and help.

📞 Call 0754 537 3413
📧 Email [email protected]

If you or someone you know could use a safe space to talk — please reach out.
Together, we can prevent homelessness and build hope. 💚

Housing Executive Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council Community Foundation for Northern Ireland
Edgarstown Residents Association Drumcree Centre
Moy Park Chicken MessyPlay NI Irwin's Bakery

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Some good news
120+ backbench MPs stood against the proposed change which would have seen existing PIP claimants lose their award at renewal if they failed to score 4 points in at least one descriptor. The government has backed down on this and announced that current claimants will now be exempt from the personal independence payment (PIP) four-point rule. This will no doubt come as a massive relief to so many people but it has now resulted in a 2 tier system as any new pip applicants will have to satisfy the 4 point rule when these changes come into effect at some point in 2026. The situation is fluid however and this too could change.