
A total of 4,170 people have now undergone Money MOTs in Stoke-on-Trent - leading to £2.1 million in unclaimed benefits being identified.
Everyone in the city is entitled to the free financial service - which was launched in September 2023 - and helps residents make sure they are receiving all the benefits they may be entitled to.
They are delivered for the council through Citizens Advice and other partners, including Saltbox and Disability Solutions, and are funded through the Government’s UK Share Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Latest cost of living figures also show that a further 118 people have claimed Guaranteed Pension Credit following a council push to help eligible residents claim for it.
Since the start of October, letters have been sent out to residents who the council has identified as potentially being eligible for Pension Credit to encourage them to make a claim.
Pension Credit take-up has also been promoted through social media and other council media channels and newsletters. Meanwhile, city council housing and revenue, benefits and financial assessment officers are helping to signpost people towards support.
However, it is estimated there are still hundreds of people in the local community who are not receiving Pension Credit who are entitled to it - and they are being encouraged to apply.
Meanwhile, the council has supported 33,991 households with vital cost-of-living help since the start of October 2024.
In the last four months, the council has provided £1.5 million of funding to help families with food, fuel, energy vouchers, essential furniture and white goods, and general support.
A total of £765,600 of this has been used to support 19,140 children and families with £40 food vouchers over the Christmas period.
The funding is part of the latest £2.6 million tranche of Household Support Fund (HSF) money that the city council has been allocated by the Government. The remainder of the pot will be spent by the end of March.
It follows on from £2.6 million in HSF money being used to support 35,411 households for the six months from April to September 2024.
Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough, cabinet member for education and anti-poverty at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “It is great news that we have been able to support thousands more people through the vital money provided through the Household Support Fund.
“In addition, the thousands of people who have benefitted from undergoing the Money MOTs will make a massive difference as the cost of living continues to hit home.
“It is also goods to see that more people have been encouraged to apply for Pension Credit over the last few weeks.
“However, there are many more in the city who are entitled to it and are still not claiming, for whatever reason. We will continue to raise awareness and encourage them to do so and support individuals and families in many other ways too.”
Further extensive cost of living support is available through initiatives such as the city council’s Help is at Hand campaign, which brings together public services, community and voluntary sector groups to help residents and businesses.
Since it launched in 2023, it has supported more than 5,500 people with a range of advice and assistance.
To help residents, the city council has brought information together on one central page at: www.stoke.gov.uk/helpisathand.
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