The customer accounts team at Bath-based housing association and housebuilder Curo have used their financial expertise to put more than £1.5m into individuals and families’ pockets and purses over the past year.
The dedicated team helps users increase their income by accessing benefits and grants they might otherwise have not known about.
As a result, a total of £1,569,338 went to the team’s customers during the financial year just ended.
The Passport to Housing service at Curo, one of the South West’s largest housing associations with a portfolio of 13,000 homes, saved users in Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) a total of £783,336 while in South Gloucestershire the figure was £269,037.
The free and confidential service helps people bidding for homes through B&NES’ Homesearch and South Gloucestershire’s Homechoice schemes to prepare for a successful Curo tenancy and plan for the expense of moving home.
Meanwhile, Curo’s Money Advice service put £299,178 back in customers’ pockets last year, while its account managers secured £127,204 and its Benefits Advice service £67,486.
Curo head of customer accounts Sarah Rogers said the cost of living crisis had hit many of its customers hard while financial difficulties could have a big impact on mental health.
“We’re seeing more people struggling to pay their bills and getting into debt. That’s why Curo’s Money and Benefits Advice services are so vital,” she added.
“They ensure our customers can access the financial support that they often had no idea was available.”
New research shows benefits worth around £23bn goes unclaimed every year in the UK.
An estimated 1.4m eligible households do not claim Universal Credit, while many others miss out on Pension Credit and Carer’s Allowance.
Billions of pounds in support for council tax, water, energy and broadband also go unclaimed each year.
Curo senior customer & new money advisor Debbie Brinsmead-Williams said: “When we tell customers about the money they’ve been missing out on, they’re often surprised.
“The benefits system is complex, and people often assume they won’t be eligible.
“But we have in-depth knowledge of the system and can assist them in making a claim, providing support when they need it most.”
Curo customer Thomas Ferris said Debbie’s support was invaluable when he faced money problems.
“She has, in many ways, saved me and prevented my health from deteriorating,” he said.
“Debbie is one of those people you never forget because she genuinely cares about the wellbeing of the people she works with.”
Pictured below: Curo’s succesful Customer Accounts team
