WEAVER Vale Housing Trust is urging customers who are facing money troubles because of the impact of coronavirus to seek support as soon as possible.

The trust’s Money Matters team has been reaching out to customers throughout lockdown to offer advice around finances.

In April and May alone, the trust helped people secure more than £616,000 of extra income that they didn’t realise they were entitled to.

The team has worked with more than 100 customers in the past few months and helped them manage more than £140,000 of debt.

“These are really tough times for lots of families, but the key is to seek support as early as possible,” said Adam Shufflebotham, who leads the Money Matters team for the trust.

“We have spoken to dozens of people who have been furloughed or face redundancy and have been able to help them to plan a way forward.

“We are here to help. The most important thing is to talk to as soon as you think you may be facing money problems. Together we can look at what you owe and help you understand what you may be entitled to way before debts start to mount up.”

Weaver Vale, which owns more than 6,100 homes across Cheshire including Northwich, has been holding a daily telephone surgery to help customers with the financial impact of the crisis.

Money Matters team advisors are all certified by the Institute of Money Advisers and can go to court to support customers at benefits tribunals.

They can also act as an intermediary and help people apply for a Debt Relief Order for anyone struggling to pay debts.

Adam added: “I am immensely proud of how the team has adapted our working practices in order to continue to support the hundreds of customers in financial difficulties during these terrible times.

“They have had to quickly digest and understand lots of new information regarding the numerous benefits, income and debt changes that have been made by the Government to give the best support and guidance.

“The team continues to be driven by their desire to help those in financial troubles and to secure outcomes to help ease some of this burden that our customers are feeling at this time.

"They have and will continue to make a real difference to our customers lives.”

To find out more about how the Money Matters team can help you visit wvht.co.uk/money-advice