On behalf of our clients, we offer people in vulnerable circumstances free, unbiased and independent money and debt advice to improve their outcomes and ensure their financial security.

Money advice is either built into the wider support of a theme-based programme (e.g. as part of wellbeing interventions, fuel poverty or assistance with utility debt), or as a specific advice service in itself.

There are a number of key services areas where we have considerable impact:

Income maximisation

Many people face complicated situations around their jobs, health, families and day-to-day living arrangements. We are able to ensure these people are not missing out on significant amounts of benefit payments, and other entitlements such as free NHS prescriptions.

As experts in entitlements to benefits, claim processes and eligibility criteria we can offer highly effective income maximisation advice to customers. Confidential advice and practical support helps maximise household income, whether they are at work, receiving benefits or both.

Our advisors help customers with:

• General welfare advice and information on benefit changes
• Backdating and challenging claims for benefits
• Advice on and representations at welfare benefit appeals

Maximising incomes and minimising the cost of living is at the heart of our service. Read about how we made significant gains for Linda, Dawn and Margaret & Dennis to address their financial insecurity.

Debt advice provision

There are currently around nine million people in the UK who are over-indebted, and supply of debt advice is struggling to keep up with the demand. Auriga helps over 1,000 people a day that are stressed financially, giving us a deep insight into the picture of people’s debt situation.

Debt advice services are offered in a range of ways to serve customers, and all our debt advisors operate to the highest standards. We hold AQS and FSA quality standard or membership, so people can be reassured the advice they are receiving is of consistent high quality.

While our face-to-face debt advice services will always remain crucial, people are increasingly using our telephone and online channels for a range of support. Whatever the channel, clients receive accurate, tailored and timely advice. Our work is focused on helping the UK’s most vulnerable avoid spiralling into debt and giving them the tools to resolve their debt problems.

We build on evidence that our frontline advisors collect and know, for example, that utility providers and the public sector are major components of debt problems, so we have increased awareness about related assistance.

General money advice

Auriga Assist money advisors all have a broad understanding of household finances and confidence in dealing with household budgets, welfare and guidance to those who are struggling financially. Customers are provided with:

• General guidance, such as talking about the basics of budgeting, the main types of welfare benefits, making and managing a claim online, credit and how to open a bank account
• Information and support to increase their financial capability
• Help that identifies money management issues
• A route to referral for our specialist resources, such as welfare benefits, debt advice or other external support
• Positive, friendly and efficient engagement – taking the loneliness out of managing money problems in isolation

If you are looking to commission advice from one of the UK’s leading providers of money, welfare or debt advice services, please contact one of our team.