North Ayrshire Council’s Welfare Reform Advice Team helped residents to the tune of more than £1.6million over the past year.

The record-breaking total was achieved by providing vital advice and support to access benefits to which they were entitled.

The service provided by the Welfare Reform Advice Team has become a crucial lifeline for many North Ayrshire residents who find themselves in financial difficulties.

From April 2019 until March 2020, the team helped people access £1.644 million to which they were entitled.

And that means, over the past three years, the financial gains for vulnerable residents has exceeded £3.6million.

Councillor Jim Montgomerie, Cabinet Member of Place, said: “This is an incredible result for our residents and a real credit to the hard work of the team.

“The difference they are making to people’s lives

cannot be overstated.

“This is millions of pounds which may have otherwise gone unclaimed, saving many people from going into further hardship.

“There is no doubt that services they provide is having a major positive impact on the lives of our tenants, helping to improve the income and their living standards.

“The work they are delivering on behalf of North Ayrshire residents is perhaps even more important now than ever - many residents may be worried about their financial future while we face the COVID-19 pandemic however, we are here to help.”

The Council’s Welfare Reform Advice Team, which was set up in 2013, directly delivers welfare rights and debt advice service to council tenants across North Ayrshire.

If you need to contact the Welfare Reform team, please email welfarereformteam@north-ayrshire.gov.uk or call 0300 999 4606