Over the past 12 months, the expert Melville team has made a positive difference to the lives of hundreds of households across Midlothian, Edinburgh and Lanarkshire, helping tenants access financial support they may otherwise have missed out on.

The service helps tenants understand the benefits and other financial support available to them, with the biggest gains last year coming through Adult Disability Payment, Housing Benefit, Universal Credit and Council Tax Reduction. An increasing number of tenants are also receiving Pension Credit while a significant part of the team’s work has been helping tenants make the move from legacy benefits to Universal Credit.

The impact of the service is reflected in feedback from tenants: “When I was going through an extremely daunting and stressful time, a phone call and a house visit helped in every aspect. I would highly recommend getting in touch for help.”

Another tenant said: “This service is absolutely fantastic. Without the team’s help, we would be struggling with understanding the minefield of the benefit system.”

A third added: “I had felt like I was on my own so I was shocked when my housing officer told me there was help I could get when I was struggling. It really made a difference!”

The team has also secured additional support worth more than £48,000 for 232 tenants through a range of funding and partnerships, including the Midlothian Cost of Living Task Force, the Edinburgh and Lothian Trust Fund (ELTF), the Housing Association Charitable Trust (HACT), Fuel Bank and children’s charity Aberlour.

“This is another fantastic result for our Welfare Benefits team, but it’s also a great example of what can be achieved when organisations work together to support people who need it,” said Jane Burnett, Melville’s head of housing.

“Our team’s knowledge and expertise is important, but so is the work we do alongside partners and other organisations to make sure tenants can access the right support at the right time. The additional funding we’ve secured this year has also allowed us to provide help where it can make an immediate difference.

“Behind every successful claim is a person or family who is better able to manage their finances and feel more secure. That’s what makes this work so worthwhile, and we’re proud to play our part.”