Hillhead Housing Association 2000 is working in partnership with Antonine Housing Co-operative to provide a Welfare Rights Service for their tenants and other residents in the Hillhead area of Kirkintilloch.
This is a free and confidential service which can help with a variety of benefit matters
It is possible that there may be benefits to which you are entitled but are currently not claiming,
or you may feel that your benefits are not correct and would like them checked.
Perhaps you are working, but on a low income and finding it difficult to manage your finances.
You may have had your benefit stopped because you failed to return a form and don’t know what to do to get benefit reinstated.
You may need help to appeal a decision, or you might need someone to represent you at a Social Security Tribunal.
Since coming into post in August 2005, Moira Escreet, the Welfare Rights Officer has already dealt with more than 900 clients regarding a whole range of different benefits. She has assisted many of these with new claims for benefit or helped them deal with problems relating to existing claims.
This has resulted in lump sum benefit payments for some tenants and increased weekly benefit entitlement for others. An overall lump sum total of more than £330,000 has so far been achieved largely as a result of applications for grants and backdated benefit payments. The total weekly increase in benefit for tenants overall is almost £15,000 which means an annual increase of more than £750,000. For some tenants this could be just a few pounds extra per week, but for others it has meant more than £100 per week. One elderly couple with health problems have had their income increased by £250 per week. Requests for backdated housing benefit payments have also helped many tenants to clear their rent arrears. Since the start of the service Moira has directly contributed to a reduction in arrears of over £65,000 and prevented arrears by increasing tenant's income.
Moira would be more than happy to assist you with any of these issues. If you would like help you can contact the office on 0141 578 0200 or e-mail moira at moira@hillheadhousing.org to request an appointment to see her. If you are not able to come to the office, Moira may be able to visit you at home. This service is only available to tenants and residents in this area.
Click here to see our most recent Welfare Rights Newsletter