How a Glasgow housing association helped tenants secure £1.3M in benefits

Tenants of a Glasgow housing association pocketed £1.3 million in benefits over a year.

The financial inclusion team at Thenue Housing helped the tenants claim their entitled money including various state benefits to combat the cost-of-living crisis.

This sum increased for the third consecutive year, up from £1.1 million in the previous year and £1.03 million the year before that.

The figure covered the period from April 2023 to March this year.

Gary Naylor, chief executive at Thenue Housing, 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."

Gail Shearer, income maximisation manager at Thenue Housing, 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.

“We are only a phone call away. In some cases this money has been backdated which provided a welcome and often-unexpected cash boost in difficult financial times.”

Findings in the latest Thenue figures also revealed that the tenants secured £448,682 in Universal Credit, £386,242 in Housing Benefit, £180,029 in Adult Disability Payment, and £104,206 in Personal Independence Payments.

Mr Naylor said: "It is yet another example of the work housing providers do which support communities and goes far beyond just collecting the rent.

"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."