Royal Borough of Greenwich (Welfare Rights Service)

Summary of Submission

The Money Advice Team at Greenwich have developed a holistic in-house advice provision to tackle the root causes of social exclusion. Recognising that many vulnerable residents were using all their mental and emotional resources to survive the financial hardship caused by the covid pandemic and the cost of living crisis, the team have developed an approach that is practical and outcomes focused. The team combines intensive income maximisation and expenditure support with practical debt advice to improve residents’ capacity to manage their money realistically and sustainably.  They work collaboratively with arrears teams across the council to identify those residents who most need support and has successfully negotiated many thousands of pounds worth of affordable payment arrangements on residents’ behalf.