Curo News

Episode 5 : Answering your money and benefits questions

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 13:51:11 Z

This episode we welcome back Sarah Rogers, Curo’s Customer Account Manager, to answer some of your questions on benefits and money matters.

We asked customers via email to send in their questions, for a chance to win £25 in Love2Shop vouchers. Congratulations to Flaciah, who was picked at random to win. Thank you to everyone who sent us their questions and sorry if we didn’t get a chance to answer yours on the podcast.

Please remember, if you have any money worries, our Money Advice service is here to help, with everything from money management to accessing benefits. Contact us either by phone on 01225 366000, or by email: customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk. We really want to help.

Curo · Episode 5: Answering your money and benefits questions

If you have any ideas for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes of the Cost of Living podcast, please email us at communications@curo-group.co.uk

Listen to episode four of the Cost of Living podcast

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 09:58:54 Z

In our latest episode, Tania Reason, Benefits Advisor at Curo, talks about the benefits that customers may be missing out on.

It’s easy to get lost in the complex benefits maze, but the Money Advice service has the latest information on what support is available. Tania explains how she’s there to support customers every step of the way in their applications.

“If you’re entitled to benefits, why struggle when we can help you to apply?” she says.

Tania also dispels some popular myths about claiming benefits and reveals the most common benefits customers may be missing out on.

The threshold for applying for benefits is increasing this year so if you haven’t been eligible for certain benefits in the past, you may now qualify, she adds.

Our Cost of Living podcast offers advice to customers on everything from benefits to help finding work.

In each episode, Marianne Rawlins, Communications and Media Manager at Curo, talks to people who can help.

If you’ve got an idea for a topic we should cover in a future episode, please email communications@curo-group.co.uk

Listen to the podcast here or you can find all episodes here.

Curo · Episode 4: Benefits - are you missing out?

Benefits advice for older people

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 12:18:49 Z

Curo Benefits Advisor Tania Reason explains the support that older customers may be missing out on and how we can help.

As a Benefits Advisor at Curo, I love that I can help to increase our customers’ incomes. Sometimes people come to us and they’re really struggling. But I can support them to access the benefits they’re entitled to, so that they don’t have to worry anymore.

I can help people over the phone or we can make an appointment to see them in person. Lots of older people prefer to meet up so that we can go through their paperwork together. I’ll find out what they’re entitled to and support them to apply.

I’d say 8 out of 10 people who come to us aren’t claiming the benefits they’re entitled to, simply because they don’t know what’s available.

Tania Reason pictured above

The most common benefits older people miss out on are Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance, which helps with extra costs if you have a disability. People claiming Attendance Allowance can get up to £92.40 a week to help with personal support.

Pension Credit acts as a gateway benefit. So, if you get Pension Credit, you could be eligible for full Housing Benefit and may not have to pay Council Tax. Pension-aged people who are entitled to Pension Credit and a disability payment – for example Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance - could get up to £1,350 in Cost of Living Payments this year.

I can also look into whether customers can get the Warm Home Discount. And a lot of people don’t know about the Cold Weather Payments - you could get £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 April.

Another myth is that you can’t claim benefits if you’re working, but if you’re on a low income, you could be entitled to Universal Credit. The threshold for Universal Credit is increasing, so even if you weren’t eligible last year, you may be eligible this year. If you get Universal Credit, you can get the £900 Cost of Living Payment. Universal Credit also gives you access to things like cheaper broadband. So it’s worth claiming Universal Credit even if you only get 1p – just get in touch with us on the contact details below and we can do a quick check.

Older people can be proud about their finances and we understand that it’s a really personal topic. But our service is completely confidential. If you’re worried about money, we’re here to help, without judgement. I always tell older people that they’ve worked hard all their lives, they should claim what they’re entitled to. Please don’t be afraid to get in touch. Call the Money Advice service on 01225 366000, or email: customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk