Welfare rights service brings £27.2m financial gains

North Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet has heard that residents are £27.2m better off thanks to the welfare rights and money advice service.

A refreshed strategy that helps North Ayrshire residents become better off was endorsed by Cabinet on 28 October.

The Financial Inclusion Strategy 2025-2030 is an update on the previous 2023-28 strategy, which included the merger of Money Matters – North Ayrshire’s welfare rights and money advice service - and the Welfare Reform Advice Team.

The team, rebranded as Money Smart earlier this year, helps individuals and families with their finances by ensuring they are able to access and maximise benefits and offering debt advice.

The service has helped boost residents’ income by £27.2 million in the past year alone, and its experts offer support, which is targeted at priority groups, including:

• 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.

The team are also now able to offer debt advice for non-Council tenants.

One resident who got help from the Money Smart team said: “They went over and above to be extremely helpful, compassionate and understanding.

"I feel like my case worker has literally saved my life and given me hope.

“She explained everything in such a calm and reassuring way and has calmed me down so much.

"The process of dealing with Department for Work and Pensions has been very stressful and frightening as I have worked most of my life.”

Tackling child poverty is a key pillar in the Council’s priority of transitioning to a wellbeing economy in a way that improves the quality of life for local people.

As the Cost-of-living Crisis continues to have a significant impact on communities, Council services are working hard to address the various challenges.

Financial Inclusion services play a vital role in improving residents’ wellbeing by offering access to welfare rights services and advice that helps them access the social security benefits they are entitled to, and our North Ayrshire Financial Inclusion Partnership provides a forum for wider partners supporting residents with financial support to maximise our collective efforts.

Direct drivers of poverty fall into three main categories – income from employment, the cost of living and income from social security.

The aim of the strategy is to work towards a North Ayrshire “where people have the knowledge, skills, resources and confidence to manage their money effectively and live fulfilling and healthy lives”.

It sets out how the Council can improve its approach, in partnership with wider partners through the Financial Inclusion Partnership, to better support and meet these needs of residents.

To read the full Financial Inclusion Strategy 2025-2030 report, go to the Council website.

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.

Published: 06 November 2025