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Be Money Smart with welfare rights and debt advice
North Ayrshire’s welfare rights and money advice service has helped boost residents’ income by more than £27 million in the last year. Our Money Smart team helps individuals and families with their finances, by ensuring they are able to access and maximise benefits and offering debt advice. The free, impartial and confidential service was rebranded earlier this year – and many people may know it under its former name of Money Matters.
Following the relaunch in May, there is a new name – but the same great service that could, potentially, change your life. Money Smart incorporates the former Money Matters and Welfare Reform Advice Team and its services are available to all Council tenants and non-Council tenants (those living in housing association homes or private lets, and owner occupiers) who are:
· Engaged with and refereed by the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), the Council and Third Sector agencies including food banks
· Pregnant or have dependent children
· Living with a disability
· Care for someone or
· Are from a minority ethnic background.
Council tenant Brian Douglas, from Irvine, says it is vital that people have a conversation with the experts at Money Smart as many could be missing out on additional income without realising they are entitled to it. Mr Douglas spoke to the team recently when they were visiting other people at a Saltcoats lunch club, and it became clear quite quickly that he was eligible for the Carer Support Payment, which would increase his pension credit award.
He explained: “The advisor was helping one of my friends with some benefits, and I was at the same table. I didn’t think I was entitled to anything, but she looked at my circumstances for me in case there was something I was entitled to but wasn’t aware of. “She quickly identified that I should be in receipt of a cares’ supplement, and made a claim for this benefit. When it came through, it was backdated. “It was an easy, simple process. I would recommend speaking to an advisor because there are benefits out there that people are entitled to but don’t know about. You are not begging for anything – this is something you are entitled to. “You will be led through the whole process – simply and easily – and it will make a difference to your day-to-life having a bit of extra money.”
Quote: The team helped to secure more than £27.2 million from 7,233 referrals in 2024-25, and this money is vital as people continue to navigate their way through the Cost-of-Living Crisis. Trying to make sense of the social security system and what the entitlements are can be daunting and confusing for the people in our communities who need this financial support most. “Thankfully, here in North Ayrshire we have experienced experts at Money Smart who can help you work through the application process. If you believe that you, or someone you know, could be entitled to benefits or you need debt advice please pick up the phone and speak to an advisor.”
Quote from: Councillor Marie Burns, Leader of North Ayrshire Council
Services include:
· Completing benefits checks and confirming entitlement
· Helping with claims for Universal Credit and other DWP and Social Security Scotland benefits
· Advice and support with debts like rent and Council Tax arrears
· Information on housing services and
· Budgeting advice.
Money Smart offers services by phone, video call, in person and - in some circumstances - in your own home. To get in touch, call 01294 310000 (option 1), email moneysmart@north-ayrshire.gov.uk or visit www.nahscp.org and use the online contact form.
Opening hours are 9am to 4.45pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4.30pm on Fridays.
If you don’t fall into any of the categories that make residents eligible for help through Money Smart, there is other support available to find out more about welfare right and debt. Please phone CHAP - 030 0002 0002 or email enquiries@chap.org.uk; Citizens Advice Scotland: - - 0800 028 1456 or StepChange - 0800 138 1111.
Published: 06 October 2025