Book a Free Finance Check

Free Finance Check

We are now able to offer you a free Finance Check. The Finance Checks aim to help you maximise your income by checking you are receiving all the benefits and help you are entitled to, and reduce your outgoings by looking for savings on things such as your household bills.

A number of residents have already benefited from this service:

• 43% of residents found that they were entitled to more benefit than they had been claiming/receiving.
• This totaled an estimated £105,707.60 per year in unclaimed benefits.
• Those residents who were under claiming benefits are now receiving on average £935.47 per year more in benefits.

With the help of the Finance Checks, one resident was recently awarded a £15,000 DLA claim.  On her Finance Checks, the diligent advisor noticed that the resident had not been claiming what she was entitled to for a number of years.  The advisor helped her to fill in the application forms and ask for the claim to be backdated.  This resulted in the £15,000 award. 

If you would like to take advantage of this new service, an advisor will come to your home to personally discuss your circumstances, your current income and any benefits you receive. From the information you provide, the advisor will then be able to identify any further benefits you may be entitled to. They can also assist you if you need any help in completing the application forms for any benefits.

This service is free to Poole Housing Partnership residents and residents of other Poole Housing Associations. The advisor will even come to you so you will not need to leave the comfort of your own home. The Finance Checks can offer guidance and help with:

• Income - benefits checks will be done to see if you can claim more than you are currently receiving
• Debts and rent arrears - Referrals to a debt advisor from the CAB or other agencies can be made if you need help dealing with any debts.
• Energy comparison – can be completed to find you a cheaper tariff/energy supplier
• Banking/Saving - Information on basic banking/Coastal Credit Union accounts etc can be provided
• Employment - referrals can be made if you need help in finding employment or improving your employment related skills.
• Other financial matters can also be discussed and addressed. 

The Finance Check is carried out in your home and takes up to one hour.  68% of the people have all issues discussed and resolved with only one  appointment.

If you would like to book a free Finance Check, or if you would like further information on this, please contact Karen Toft on 01202 264484 or email k.toft@poole.gov.uk