School service in North Ayrshire secures £1m in benefits for families

North Ayrshire Council is taking proactive measures to assist families in claiming welfare benefits they are entitled to by collaborating with staff in secondary schools.

For the past two years, Welfare Rights Officer Audrey Ritchie has been providing parents and carers with free, impartial, and confidential benefits advice, resulting in over £1 million being secured for families during this period.

Audrey is a part of the Money Matters team at North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, dedicated to ensuring that individuals in North Ayrshire receive the state benefits they deserve by:

• Conducting a comprehensive benefits assessment for you and your household
• Determining which benefits you qualify for
• Assisting you in the claims process
• Offering guidance if you challenge a benefit decision or face sanctions
• Providing representation in appeal processes
• Referring you to partner organisations for debt, budgeting, and household bills advice

The demand for the team’s services has escalated during the ongoing Cost-of-Living Crisis, with people from diverse backgrounds seeking support.

Explaining her role, Audrey stated: “My objective as a Welfare Rights Officer is to ensure that everyone comprehends their rights and obligations regarding welfare benefits.

“I can verify that individuals are claiming their entitled benefits, assist them in understanding regulations, complete forms, interpret decisions made, and offer support, as well as guidance in challenging decisions, including representation in appeals if necessary.

“The aim is to provide improved access to welfare rights advice and broader services in a non-judgemental manner that effectively addresses the needs of local residents. In the two years of working with parents and carers in our schools, we have allocated more than £1 million to North Ayrshire residents.”

“Anyone with a low income or experiencing recent changes in circumstances may be eligible for assistance. This could be due to the birth of a child, alterations in work hours, health changes, household composition changes, or a child leaving school.

“I urge everyone to undergo a household benefits assessment – it is cost-free, and you could be missing out on financial support.”

Two parents, Mandy Wilson and Lizzy Frew, who have children attending Irvine Royal Academy and serve on the Parent Council, shared their positive experiences. Mandy, the treasurer, said: “I approached Audrey because a change in my personal circumstances impacted my income. Having that conversation alleviated a lot of stress and anxiety from my life.”

Lizzy, the vice-chair, added: “Audrey was able to reassure me, talk me through the process, and demonstrate that completing benefit forms doesn’t have to be stressful.”

Karen Johnstone, a Young Persons’ Support Worker, has directed families to Audrey and reported exclusively positive feedback from all of them.

“Every family had their benefits maximised, found the process straightforward, and one family even described Audrey as a saviour, mentioning that for the first time, they didn’t face Christmas debt due to the additional income they received,” Karen shared.

Councillor Margaret Johnson, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, commended Audrey’s achievements in secondary schools, stating: “It is heartening to witness Audrey’s success in our secondary schools.

“By aiding parents in navigating the welfare benefits system and ensuring they claim what they are entitled to, vital funds are flowing into families’ accounts. This is crucial as we persevere through the ongoing Cost-of-Living Crisis.”