Our welfare rights and debt advice service for North Ayrshire residents will relaunch as ‘Money Smart’ on Thursday 1 May.
North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership’s Money Smart service incorporates the former Money Matters and Welfare Reform Advice teams, and will provide free, confidential and impartial welfare rights for:
- all North Ayrshire Council housing tenants
- non-NAC tenants, including homeowners, housing association tenants, those living in private lets, and anyone without a fixed address, who:
- are engaged with and referred by NAHSCP, NHS A&A or NAC services, or third sector agencies such as foodbanks, Citrus or Women’s Aid
- have dependent children or are pregnant
- have a disability
- are carers
- are from a minority ethnic background
Signposting to support
Residents wishing to get in touch with Money Smart from May 1 can call 01294 310 000 (option 1) or email moneysmart@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
An online contact form is also available on the Benefits, Welfare Rights and Advice webpage of the North Ayrshire Health and Social Care website.
The Money Matters and Welfare Reform Advice teams’ current contact details will remain in use until the switchover date.
Referral process
Anyone who is referred directly through NAC or NAHSCP teams will be eligible to use the Money Smart service.
However, for teams who currently signpost to Money Matters or the Welfare Reform Advice Team – rather than making direct referrals – we would ask that you note the new eligibility criteria for non-Council tenants and email address for Money Smart, which will come into operation on the launch date.
Information on the NAC and NAHSCP websites will also be updated on the launch date to reflect the changes, and new print materials will be issued to services and partners in the coming weeks.
Further support provided by the team
Debt and money advice is also available for all North Ayrshire Council tenants via the service, as well as non-Council tenants who meet the above eligibility criteria and who are receiving welfare rights advice from Money Smart.
The service’s team of specialist advisers can support residents by:
- completing benefits checks and identifying entitlements
- helping them make a claim for a wide range of benefits
- disputing benefits decisions and sanctions
- and providing appeal representation at tribunals where necessary.
Additionally, the team can also provide:
- advice and support with debts, including rent and Council Tax arrears
- help with negotiating affordable repayment plans
- help with insolvency options such as bankruptcy, budgeting and banking advice
- help with discretionary housing payments
- help to access crisis support and other grants.
In addition, North Ayrshire Council tenants can receive advise on housing options, under-occupation charges and digital support.
Money Smart can also refer clients on to other services for wider needs as required, and can offer services by phone, video call, in person and – in some circumstances – in the client’s own home.