Ingredients:

• Carole, Kerry and Suzanne
• 1,400 referrals
• Lots of unclaimed dosh

Our very own Welfare Benefit Team here at the Trust offers a really important free and confidential service to our tenants. We have three fulltime Welfare Benefit Advisors,  supporting both our housing management teams and tenants.

Carole, Kerrry, and Suzanne, supported by administrator Jenny, work directly with tenants and liaise with the local council to:

• make sure Housing Benefit is correct
• reduce reclaims of HB overpayments
• work with tenants to maximise income and obtain financial support from other agencies such as the many Trust Funds and charities who support people in crisis situations.

The Welfare Benefit Advice service that we offer is promoted through the Money Matters section in our popular quarterly tenants’ newsletter Trust Talks.

Our website also contains more information and contact details on a full range of welfare benefits, and enables tenants to contact us direct via e-mail, 24/7. We also advertise the service via posters and leaflets in our local offices and Trust shops.

Results:

• From over 1,400 referrals a year the team generates over £129K in lump sum payments of Housing Benefit which goes into our tenants’ rent accounts
• Over a 12-month period the team has increased the annual income of tenants they have worked with by over £400K - loads of money!
• The team has generated over £59K in lump sum payments of welfare benefits such as Carers Allowance and other disability and sickness benefits
• This increase in income, and lump sum payments, benefits us as an organisation and improves the quality of life of our tenants and also the wider communities in which they live.

Deb Morrison on 01952 217138 would be pleased to provide you with more information.