A dedicated service set up to help disadvantaged residents in Stoke-on-Trent deal with financial worries has identified £1.44 million in unclaimed welfare benefits over a 12-month period.
The figure, which relates to the last financial year, was calculated by the Money Matters team – who are now actively supporting people to apply for this unclaimed money.
They also worked to write off £164,000 of debt and helped people access nearly £60,000 worth of grants in the same period.
And staff were also able to distribute over £90,000 worth of financial support towards food and fuel to those worst hit by the Cost-of-Living Crisis.
Money Matters is one of a range of caring services provided by local charity Saltbox.
Through its regular debt advice drop-in sessions around the city, including over 500 sessions at the 16 Stoke Foodbanks locations in the last year, Money Matters provides advice and support with debt, welfare benefits, income maximisation, budgeting and online money skills.
Feedback from clients includes:
- “Money Matters have saved my life…I honestly don’t know what I would have done without their support”
- ‘I am very grateful for the support that Money Matters have given me, I would not have been able to make this claim without their help. It has changed my life’
- “I am so very grateful for the support from Money Matters, they have made this experience much easier for me”
- “You’re a legend and honestly the only person who’s really helped me through everything I’m forever grateful for you and I always will be”
Saltbox CEO Lloyd Cooke said “I’m really encouraged that we able to support so many local folk and help them to get back on their feet financially. Importantly, most of the money received will be spent in the local economy.”
Saltbox provides three caring services for local vulnerable people including those struggling with loneliness (CareLink), those who are homeless (Restart) and those with debt issues (Money Matters).
It employs over 50 staff who are based at its recently refurbished headquarters building in the city centre.
