Got net-zero news, project updates, or product launches to share? Wheatley Group retrieves £18.5m in benefits for tenants.
Wheatley Group has recently garnered acclaim for its efforts in assisting thousands of tenants in accessing a substantial amount of unclaimed benefits, amounting to nearly £18.5 million, including Universal Credit, between August 2023 and August 2024.
Two individuals, Josh Wood, aged 23, and Mary Fisher, aged 62, both residents of Glasgow, shared their experiences about how these additional benefits had a transformative impact on their lives, thanks to the support provided by Wheatley’s welfare benefits service.
Mary, a tenant of Wheatley Homes Glasgow, expressed gratitude for the assistance she received in applying for Universal Credit and other benefits that she was entitled to but were previously inaccessible to her.
In the past year alone, 5873 customers of Wheatley Homes Glasgow were aided in claiming benefits that they might have otherwise been unaware of. Mary highlighted, “My business suffered greatly due to the impact of Covid, leading to financial struggles. Despite attempting to access Universal Credit without success, the welfare benefits advisor from Wheatley swiftly resolved my situation, ensuring I received the funds owed to me. This support helped me clear my rent arrears, relieving a significant burden from my shoulders.”
Josh Wood, a tenant of Loretto Housing Association, disabled due to health issues, also shared his positive experience of receiving support from Wheatley’s benefits team in claiming his entitled benefits, which included Universal Credit and a bus pass.
Josh mentioned, “The welfare benefits advice team played an integral role in assisting me with setting up benefits like Housing Benefit and Universal Credit. The additional financial assistance drastically improved my quality of life over the past year, allowing me more freedom to engage in activities that were previously limited to me due to financial constraints.”
Wheatley Group encompasses various entities, including Wheatley Homes Glasgow, Loretto Housing Association, Wheatley Homes South, Wheatley Homes East, and Lowther, the mid-market rent specialist. Across these organisations, numerous tenants have received support to claim their entitled benefits, underscoring the commitment of Wheatley Group to assist those facing financial hardships.
Laura Pluck, the Director of Communities at Wheatley Group, emphasised, “We understand the challenges people are currently facing, and our priority is to support our customers by ensuring they receive all the benefits they are entitled to. Navigating the welfare benefits system can be overwhelming for many, which is why our welfare benefits advisors provide crucial assistance in conducting benefits checks, guiding customers through the claims process, and offering support in appeals and reviews of benefits decisions.”
Overall, Wheatley Group’s proactive approach in assisting tenants in accessing unclaimed benefits has had a significant impact on the lives of individuals like Mary and Josh, exemplifying the commitment of the organisation towards improving the well-being of its residents.
