A NEW service linked to local secondary schools will help parents/carers and pupils deal with financial matters.

For the first time, a dedicated Welfare Rights Officer has been assigned to schools offering free confidential welfare rights advice to all families and pupils in the school.

Audrey Ritchie is from North Ayrshire Council’s Money Matters Team. The team specialise in welfare rights which is access to the range of financial support and benefits available from DWP, Scottish Social Security and Local Authority. Audrey can:

• Complete a benefit check for your household

• Confirm the benefits you are entitled to

• Complete a referral to a partner agency for debt, budgeting, or fuel advice.

• Help you to make a claim for benefits

• Help you to dispute benefit decisions

• Help you to dispute benefit sanctions

• Provide appeal representation

Councillor Joe Cullinane, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: “This is a fantastic new initiative and one we are proud to support.

“It is one of a range of measures we have introduced to help families and their children.

“Many families don’t get all the financial assistance and benefits they are entitled to. They can often be intimidated or scared to ask for help or may be unaware of their entitlement.

“The rules can be complex, or sometimes they have been wrongly refused. We must do our best to help every person in that situation.”

If you are on a low income or had a recent change in circumstances for example caring for someone, reduction in earnings, unable to work due to sickness / disability or had a baby you may be able to get some help even if you haven’t claimed before or if you think you won’t qualify.

Audrey can be contacted directly on 01294 310498, drop her a text on 0779 907 5426 or email moneymatters@north-ayrshire.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can request a referral is made to Audrey on your behalf contacting the school. This service is free and strictly confidential.

Audrey is working across seven secondary schools. The other schools (Auchenharvie & Ardrossan) have a pilot running via a third sector organisation.