Welfare and financial inclusion

We are committed to helping our residents access any benefits they are entitled to. Our Financial Inclusion team have helped our residents claim thousands of pounds in benefits they are due.

Our experienced, in-house Welfare and Financial Inclusion Officer will work with you to:

Check what benefits you are entitled to and make sure you are claiming everything you can;
Advise you about whether you are entitled to any backdated benefit, which can help with rent arrears;
Help you make your benefit claims;
Follow up your claims to check if they have been paid.

For more information on this free service please contact financialinclusion@newlon.org.uk.

Learn what benefits you are entitled to

If you want other ways to find out the benefits you are entitled to and how they work, there are a number of means to do so:

You can go to gov.uk. This provides up to date information on all government services in one place, including information on benefits.
You can contact your local authority. They can outline which benefits you can claim and how benefit changes may affect you.
Citizens Advice provides a wide range of information and help. To get in touch with them you can visit their website at citizensadvice.org.uk.
Shelter offers confidential housing, benefits and debt advice. You can call their Housing Advice Helpline on 0808 800 4444. You can also visit their website at shelter.org.uk.
We also have a benefits calculator which can give you an idea of what you are entitled to.

Struggling to pay your rent?

If you are finding it difficult to pay your rent or you are in arrears, please contact us as soon as possible so we can come to an arrangement where you pay your debts gradually. If you leave it too late it may be more difficult for us to help you.

To get in touch call the Income Team on 020 7613 8080. You can also email them at income@newlon.org.uk.

Newlon Hardship Fund: impact over the last year (2024-2025)

Over the past year, the Newlon Hardship Fund has played a crucial role in supporting residents facing rising living costs and financial uncertainty. Through a combination of welfare advice, emergency grants and strong community partnerships, the fund has helped hundreds of households regain stability and confidence.

Our impact at a glance

791 residents received welfare and financial inclusion support.
£679,210 in welfare benefits was successfully claimed for 253 residents, helping them secure the income they’re entitled to.
£107,932 was distributed through the Hardship Fund, supporting 334 households with urgent needs.
677 residents received direct financial assistance including:
- £76,226 for essential household items.
- £15,220 in food vouchers.
- £9,906 in energy vouchers.
- £8,023 for other emergency needs such as baby items, travel, feminine products and support for those experiencing domestic abuse.
87 households received tailored budgeting and debt advice.

Community partnerships making a difference

Collaborations with organisations such as local foodbanks, The Engine Room Homework Club, Suited & Booted, Time to Grow and Solace Women’s Aid helped extend our reach and provide wider support—from interview clothing and digital access to six months of low‑cost food for vulnerable families.

Supporting residents when they need it most

Drop‑in sessions, digital skills training and targeted outreach helped residents understand benefit changes, manage Universal Credit transitions and improve budgeting skills. At Christmas, 50 hampers were delivered to residents experiencing hardship, including new parents, older people living alone and young care leavers.

A human impact

Residents consistently told us how much being listened to, treated with dignity and supported through difficult moments meant. Stories like Fathia’s – a mother of six facing bereavement and financial crisis – highlight the life‑changing role of the fund and the guidance provided by our Financial Inclusion team.

Looking ahead

Newlon remains committed to expanding hardship support, strengthening community partnerships and helping residents navigate increasingly complex financial and digital systems. Together with our funders and partners, we are building resilience and providing a vital safety net for those who need it most.

Read our lateset Hardship Fund impact report.