Thenue’s Financial Inclusion team helps tenants to obtain much needed benefits

Thenue Housing has revealed the extent of its efforts to help its tenants claim money to which they are entitled. As a result, £1.49 million has been obtained by Thenue’s Financial Inclusion Team between April 2020 and March 2121.

Despite the challenges of working from home, the team still managed to offer a helping hand to tenants to obtain much-needed cash. The role played by the Financial Inclusion team was thrown sharply into focus as a result of the pandemic.

This week, Thenue’s Chief Executive Charles Turner praised the efforts of staff, saying they had gone the “extra mile” to offer help. He said: “This remarkable figure – which is an increase from last year – reflects the sheer effort of our staff to help people at a time of unprecedented need. It almost exactly covers the first turbulent 12 months of the pandemic.

“We are immensely grateful for their skill, enthusiasm and hard work in delivering this massive boost for our customers, proving that it really does pay to get good advice.”

The pandemic prompted more people to seek out the free service from Thenue. Job losses, furlough, reduced working hours – all of which contributed to reduced income – were cited as reasons for seeking out Thenue’s help.

Examples of support include energy advice, encouraging tenants to switch to cheaper tariffs, assistance making claims for state benefits, which many were unaware they were entitled to, and general help on welfare rights.

Mr Turner added: “It is yet another example of the work housing associations and housing co-operatives do which support communities and go far beyond simply collecting the rent.

“The work the housing association movement has carried out during the health emergency has been a welcome reminder of the essential role it fulfils across Scotland.”