Posted 3 May 2023
Money Support Monthly May: Celebrating Success and Bank Holidays Galore!
Welcome to your brand-new Money Support Monthly! The Money Support Monthly is an update from the Money Support Service here at LHP, and is jam-packed with money saving tips, ideas and freebies, along with information on how the Money Support Service works and provides much needed support and assistance to our customers.
Meet the Money Support Service
The Money Support Service works hard at LHP to care for our customers by providing information and connecting you with the tools and resources to support your finances. Our team of Money Support Advisors can help you with a range of issues, from budgeting through to assistance claiming benefits.
May Update
May is upon us, and it’s brimming with Bank Holidays this year! It’s also the perfect time to recap our progress over the last financial year. We’re proud to have supported 1,285 customers and secured £537,000 additional income for households.
And we’re not stopping there! Our team keeps growing – Lorraine and Dianne joined us in January, and this month, we welcome Laura. This expansion means we can support even more customers.
If you need support, don’t hesitate to reach out.
LHP Hardship Fund
If you haven’t heard, we recently announced the launch of our new LHP Hardship Fund. The Fund is an initiative aiming to support new and existing customers who are struggling financially due to the current cost of living crisis.
The fund offers various types of vouchers, up to £250 per household, that can be used to purchase essential items such as food, household goods, fuel, and even furniture.
The LHP Hardship Fund is available to all LHP customers who are facing financial hardship, regardless of whether they are new to us or have been with us for a long time.
For more information about the LHP Hardship Fund, how to contact the Money Support Service and read our news post for further details on eligibility and the application process.
Success Story Spotlight
Our Success Story Spotlight showcases one of our real customers who contacted the Money Support Service. Names are changed for privacy reasons.
Adam sought the Money Support Service’s help following the death of his wife. With our assistance, he received personal financial awards to the total of £6956.11.
We helped him to complete the following applications:
- Universal Credit personal allowance of £334.00 per month
- A one-off bereavement payment of £2500, plus £100 per month for 18 months total £1800
- As a result of health issues, the support service helped him to complete a Personal Independent Payment (PIP) application and he was awarded a £1726 back payment plus £345.20 per month
- A household support grant application was also a success and an award of £250 was granted
If you need help and support like Adam, just complete our referral form to get started.
Expert Tips & Tricks
The Energy Saving Trust advises us to use appliances efficiently. For instance, washing at 30C could save you £34 per year. Keeping fridge/freezer filters clean helps them run more efficiently. You can also switch to paperless utility bills, manage your account online, or install a smart meter for direct readings to save money. For more tips and a helpful video, visit Energy Saving Tips.
We’re huge fans of Money Saving Expert and Martin Lewis. He recently posted an article on the new cost-of-living payments beginning April 25th, 2023. Discover who qualifies, the available amounts, and how to apply at the MSE website.
In Budget 2023 news, the Energy Price Guarantee remains at £2,500. To find out what this means for your bills, check out this article.
Money Saving Tip of the Month
TalkTalk offers six months of free broadband (no phone line) for job seekers on Universal Credit without an internet connection. Jobcentre staff will determine your eligibility for this – it is not a social tariff.
Customer Satisfaction Soars
Our Customer Satisfaction survey results remain high. For March, 92% of respondents said the advice given was relevant, and 85% reported easy access to the service. For example, we recently received heart-warming praise from a customer who found solace and support during two difficult bereavement periods.