Retired sales manager Jim McMahon, 66, from Knightswood, is one of thousands of Wheatley Homes Glasgow customers who have been supported by Wheatley Group’s benefits advisors.

The group’s advisors have helped customers claim over £7.2 million in benefits they were entitled to since April 2023. Benefits advice is part of the group’s wraparound support available to customers, which has seen a surge in demand during the cost-of-living crisis. It is estimated up to £19 billion of benefits go unclaimed in the UK every year.

A report published by Wheatley Group in 2023 revealed the difficulties many of its customers were having with the benefits system. The ‘Existing Not Living’ report was commissioned by Wheatley and was supported by the Scottish Federation of Housing Association (SFHA) and the Chartered Institute of Scotland (CIH). It showed 65% of claimants believe the social security payment did not give them enough money to cover their basic needs, while 62% believed it did not help them back into work – despite that being the primary goal.

The Wheatley study followed a piece of research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the food bank network the Trussell Trust, which said inadequate benefits were the main driver of the explosion in destitution and food bank use.

Wheatley Group’s benefits advisors supported Jim with his housing benefit claim as well as accessing disability living allowance for him – an application process he admits he would have struggled with on his own.

Jim said: “I have dyslexia and struggle with forms, but Donna was able to explain everything. I had been anxious and full of dread, but she was there for me and, in a very caring way, was able to explain and sort things out for me.

“The benefits system is complicated, but I know if I was to face any other benefits issues now, I would be able to phone her for advice. She removes a lot of worry and made me feel that things would be okay.

“If anybody is having issues dealing with their benefits, I’d urge them to give Wheatley’s benefit advisors a call. They will explain things clearly and give you the support you need.”

Jim is one of 5644 tenants of Wheatley Homes Glasgow, Wheatley Homes East, Wheatley Homes South and Loretto Housing that Wheatley’s benefits advisors have supported since the start of the financial year.

In that same time, the group’s fuel advisors also helped 2438 tenants with their energy bills as well as to access more than £90,000 in external funding to help tackle fuel poverty.

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Wheatley Group has helped tenants claim more than £40m in welfare benefits and distributed almost £2.5m in fuel vouchers and top-ups.

Laura Pluck, Wheatley Group director of communities, said: “We’re doing all we can to support our tenants in these difficult times.

“I’m very proud to hear of the difference the support from Donna has made to Jim, and I hope it has given him one less thing to worry about.

“It is very clear that the welfare benefits system can be complex for people to navigate. Tenants may presume they’re already getting all the financial support available or they’re not entitled to anything. Others may worry their claim will be rejected or they struggle to apply online.

“Welfare benefits are a vital safety net for many people on low incomes, particularly in this cost-of-living crisis. We are here to help tenants claim all of the benefits they are entitled to. The support and advice we can offer is life-changing.”

Benefits advisors help tenants with claims for Universal Credit and other benefits and can help appeal decisions taken by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). Fuel advisors help tenants with energy advice, advocating on tenants’ behalf with their supplier, negotiating debt repayment plans and making sure bills are correct.