A housing association claims its specialist money advice team has helped hundreds of its residents to collectively receive nearly £2m of extra support.
In the last financial year (April 2024 to March 2025), Broadacres Housing Association says its five-strong dedicated team has helped to generate £1.9 million in additional income for nearly 1,000 customers.
The team provides advice and support to residents who are facing financial challenges, with the aim of improving their personal situation.
Examples include:
- A couple who both suffer from arthritis and struggling to make ends meet due to the cost of living crisis are now £26,000 better off each year after they were helped to claim a number of benefits they did not realise they were entitled to, including Attendance Allowance which is for pensioners with significant care needs
- A man with mental health problems who was drowning in debt and on the brink of eviction due to serious rent arrears was given free professional advice and budgeting support, as well as being referred for mental health support. As a result he is now getting on top of his finances and maintaining his tenancy
- A single mum with a primary school age daughter whose health issues had limited her ability to work and was struggling to cope was advised she could claim up to 85% towards of the cost of childcare. This changed her perspective on being able to afford to go back to work and has drastically improved her mental health too
John Botham, Broadacres’ money advice service team leader, said: “Our work is predominantly all about helping customers fix a budget that doesn’t work for them and making sure they are not missing out on income they are entitled to.
“This includes all the key welfare benefits, but we can also help people to get one-off benefits such as help with funeral costs or grants to buy white goods, energy or food.
“We also help people to achieve non-financial benefits as well, such as reducing their monthly outgoings if they are being overcharged for something or perhaps being scammed.
“Our work is very wide-ranging and it’s pleasing that we have been able to achieve positive outcomes for so many of our customers, however large or small.”
Main image: The Broadacres’ Money Advice Service Team: Andrea Lowery, John Botham, Diana Dixon, Lee Whitwell-Phillips, and Rebecca Garrett
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