Our Financial Inclusion service continues to be very busy. The service supports a high number of residents who may have found themselves struggling with their finances. Below is an example of the difference a helping hand can make to residents. Financial inclusion
297 residents were supported by the Financial Inclusion service this year with a total gain of £1,160,387 in benefits.
Backdated pension payout for happy resident Susan* is a single person and was coming up to pension age. She claimed her State Pension but had a query about an NHS Pension. A letter from the provider came with an application form, but she didn’t understand how to complete it or fully understand the two options she was given. She completed the application form with the help of our Financial Inclusion team. This was sent off, but nothing was heard back. A month after her birthday, a colleague from our Financial Inclusion Team suggested Susan went to her bank to see if any monies had been paid. After she checked, she messaged back in a panic about her bank balance. She had expected a lump sum of under £20,000 but her balance had increased by more than double that amount. A colleague supported Susan while she called the Pension Helpline. They confirmed that she had been eligible to claim the pension since her 60th birthday so had been paid the money that she was due from this date. They also confirmed the monthly payment that she was entitled to receive each month. Susan said: “I am very grateful for the help. Without it, I would not have been able to cope with the paperwork
and phone calls needed, due issues with anxiety.” * Name changed to protect our resident’s identity
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