Huge cash boost for tenants tops £1.3 million

Tenants have received a massive £1.3 million pound boost after Thenue housing staff helped them unlock access to a huge amount of benefits.

Thenue’s “Financial Inclusion Team” has revealed the extent of its efforts – in just one year - to help tenants claim money to which they are entitled.

It said the cash injection including various State benefits was helping combat the cost-of-living crisis.

The figure has risen for the third year in a row as tenants accessed a range of cash help to which they are entirely entitled and are now claiming.

The £1.3 million obtained for Thenue tenants covered the period April 2023 to the end of March this year.

That is UP from £1.1 million the previous year which itself was a rise from £1.03 million the year before that.

Thenue Chief Executive Gary Naylor praised the efforts of staff saying they “were doing everything they could to put money back in people’s pockets”.

It is often the case that people don’t know they are eligible for certain benefits because they were unaware they could claim.

Gary said: “This remarkable figure which shows another rise on the previous year reflects the efforts of our staff to help people at a time of unprecedented need. We know that many are struggling with cost of living pressures and we are doing everything we can to help. Our staff are here to help navigate the often tricky task of applying for benefits to which people are entirely entitled. And of course it is free and entirely confidential.”

Thenue’s Income Maximisation Manager Gail Shearer who leads the team said: “The direction of travel is clear. Every year for three years the amount we have obtained for Thenue tenants has risen. Never has it been more important for people to check with us if they are missing out on cash.”

Some of the eye-catching findings in the latest Thenue figures make for impressive reading:

• £448,682 was obtained in Universal Credit
• £386,242 was obtained in Housing Benefit
• £180,029 was obtained in Adult Disability Payment
• £104,206 was obtained in Personal Independence Payments

Smaller yet still important sums were obtained for benefits such as pension credit, council tax rebates and the State pension.

Gary added: “It is yet another example of the work housing providers do which support their communities. The team at Thenue understand there has never been a more important time for help of this kind and we are committed to creating sustainable, resilient and connected communities where people’s wellbeing and opportunities are enhanced.”