As a 32-year-old single mother, Maria* was unemployed and struggled to keep up with her monthly rent payments.
Despite having no debts, she found the financial pressure of raising her young child without a steady source of income increasingly challenging. The 53-week year caused unexpected additional financial obligations, so Maria found herself turning to Pound Advice in the hope of maximising her income.
Pound Advice did just that.
As an L&Q resident, Maria was able to call Pound Advice for free money and debt advice. During the call, she was booked in with one of our partners, Clean Slate. Supporting her on her journey towards financial stability, Clean Slate carried out both a comprehensive benefits check and a money health check to understand Maria’s financial situation. During these checks, it was identified that the 53-week year was the cause of Maria’s financial problems. Although she did what she could to stay afloat throughout the year, she had not accounted for the extra week in the year which increased her rent payments. Pound Advice liaised with the L&Q rents team, ensuring Maria’s consent was given, to discuss this issue.
Pound Advice recognised that Maria needed additional financial support, so Clean Slate, on behalf of Pound Advice, signposted her to various resources and guided her to apply for:
- The Healthy Start scheme, which resulted in her receiving a weekly payment of £4.25.
- The Turn2us grant
- A water assistance scheme
- A broadband social tariff
- The Fuel Bank Foundation
- Housing Associations Charitable Trust (HACT) Fuel vouchers.
After exploring these options, Maria received a monthly budget planner, sent via email, so she could better manage her finances. She also proved eligible to receive two fuel vouchers from the Fuel Bank Foundation, totalling £31 each. Maria is still awaiting the outcome of her HACT referral, where, if eligible, she could receive six fuel vouchers totalling £49 each. Clear Slate also signposted Maria to her local Citizens Advice Bureau and Essential Living Fund to help her maintain control of her finances and not revert back to feeling financial pressure.
The proactive and comprehensive support provided by Pound Advice, a service for L&Q residents delivered by We Are Group, has significantly helped Maria find financial stability for her and her child. She found the service extremely helpful and has expressed that she’d recommend it to other L&Q residents facing similar financial challenges.
Find out how our services could help improve the lives of your residents: Services
*For anonymity, we have used a fake name and image.
