Free financial advice has helped more than 370 Brighton & Hove City Council tenants access more than £350,000 in unclaimed or additional benefits, charitable payments, savings on household bills and write-off or rescheduling of some debts.
Advice was provided by the council’s Housing Inclusion Team, which was created in October 2012 to offer financial help and advice to the significant number of tenants affected by government changes to the benefit system.
The team has been working with the Money Advice and Community Support Service (MACS) since the spring to coincide with the introduction of the government reforms.
Councillor Bill Randall, Chair of the Housing Committee, said:
“The government’s changes to housing benefit are having a profound effect on many of our low-income tenants.
“It’s essential that we collect rents that pay for housing services, but we always work with those tenants who can’t pay the rent to overcome their difficulties.
“The Housing Inclusion Team with MACS has answered a growing need for financial advice and guidance, and is bringing timely relief, support and help to so many of our tenants and residents.”
Anyone struggling with budgets or affected by benefit changes should contact MACS on 01273 664 000.
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