Providing financial support
Our financial wellbeing team works hard to ensure our customers get the most out of our into work and
customer accounts services.
Supporting Mr and Mrs B
During 2023, we worked with Mr and Mrs B, a couple with learning difficulties from birth, who have also experienced mental health issues over the years. Their adult daughter, who also has learning difficulties, lives with them.
Sadly, the daughter’s partner had passed away. Previously he was the main point of support for the other family members, dealing with the majority of bills and finances. The family fell into rent arrears and accumulated many other debts, after their benefits were cut to the bare minimum as they hadn’t been able to engage with the DWP correctly. They had been supported by Mr B’s elderly mother for food.
Our tenancy sustainment team and Neighbourhood Officer provided various elements of help and support, along with the financial wellbeing team.
Given the family’s vulnerabilities and specific nature of the issues, we took an approach to support each family member on an individual basis.
The process to help them access greater financial support took around six months with the outcomes:
- Mr B was assessed as unfit for work and DWP awarded an additional £390 per month on top of his joint universal credit award. A Personal Independence payment (PIP) was also awarded, which we helped to complete. This meant an additional £748.58 per month, the highest rate of award possible
- Mrs B was also awarded PIP at £557.45 per month
- Their daughter made a successful application for PIP at £557.45 per month, and as she was still on an old legacy benefit, it meant an extra Severe Disability Premium
- In total, the family unit received an increase in income worth an additional £3,500 each month, and because it can take up to four months to be processed, they received backdated lump sums totalling £14,000
- This has meant they have been able to clear all their debts, due to now being better off financially. They’ve invested in new furniture for their home comfort and healthier food and outing options for their wellbeing
- The family’s quality of life has improved considerably given the much-needed support we were able to provide them with and after many years of financial hardships, the family is able to thrive with less stress and financial difficulties.