WDH ahead of the game in benefits take-up

A group of charities has recently reported that not enough people are claiming money to which they are entitled and that more clarity is needed to help troubled residents access benefit payments.

But Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) has been offering tenants their financial assistance for nearly three years to help clear debts by highlighting available monetary benefits and the routes to it.

According to figures published by the Department for Work and Pensions, up to £16bn in income-related benefits and tax credits goes unclaimed in the UK a year.

However, WDH has been bucking the trend by helping tenants to access £290,000 in grants and benefits – even assisting them to reclaim bank charges. And the good work continues.

WDH offers debt advice through their dedicated ask:ted website, and their committed specialist debt team has been meeting the district’s people face-to-face to alleviate their financial worries and signpost people to where they can make the most of their money.

The housing association is even piloting a Smarter Lifestyle programme, which aims to improve the well being of tenants and residents in the Wakefield district by discussing ways to find employment, develop career prospects and improve general health issues.

Craig Wood, WDH Debt Team Leader, says that help is available from charities and agencies but accessing the funds is not always straight forward.

He said: “Some people may find the idea of claiming benefits a time-consuming and complicated process, but as the latest figures show, the money is there – it’s being able to recognise your entitlement to it that’s the hurdle.

“There are a lot of people in the district that perhaps don’t realise what they are entitled to. We understand that the process may seem a little complex, but we are here to identify what financial help is available to you and assist you in getting hold of it.”

Just some of the charities’ findings showed that four in five low paid workers without children missed out on tax credits worth at least £38 a week, and up to 1.7 million pensioners are missing out on an average of £31 in pension credit payments.

Craig added: “WDH is offering its financial expertise to anyone who is concerned with their money. We hold regular Money Matters sessions where people can attend to discuss with our debt team ways of clearing their debt.

“But it is important that people take the time to find out what benefits are available to them. In most cases they are pleasantly surprised with where they can claim money from - and how much they can claim.”

For more information on claiming benefits or to find out where and when your next Money Matters session is held, access the WDH website or call OneCALL on 0845 8 507 507.