IncomeMax, the money advice specialists, have released a Social Impact Report which details how they managed to unlock £8,035,623 of additional income for people through free, confidential conversations in 2021/22 alone.
The report also details the work of founder Lee Healey’s dedicated team, which, among other things, spent a combined 137 working days on the phone to government departments.
Writing in the report, Healey said, ‘We’ve been helping people feel better about their finances since 2009, but helping the nation bounce back from the Covid-19 pandemic has been life-changing for us all.
‘As founder, I’m incredibly proud of how everyone here delivered advice and support without interruption. If the pandemic was a test of our team’s resiliency, I think we passed with flying colours.
‘Coming out of the pandemic was tough for many low income and vulnerable households: People facing financial difficulties through illness; the worry of losing their jobs; or unexpected changes in circumstances.
‘We saw the number of vulnerabilities across the UK increase dramatically, and sadly, it continues to do so. But just as in the previous 12 years, we were there to support those who needed us, changing the lives of thousands of people with a conversation and unlocking millions of pounds for them, so they never felt alone.’
IncomeMax is a free and confidential money advice service that has been helping people with their finances since 2009. Over the years, the company has found over £38 million of new income for people who are struggling with their finances.
Praise from Martin Lewis
In January 2022, a caller named Christopher appeared on Martin Lewis's popular money saving TV show. Suffering from Elos Danlos syndrome, Christopher had applied for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in May 2021 but had encountered postal issues and a 16-week delay in receiving the form.
After not receiving his PIP award, he was unable to apply for a free bus pass and felt trapped. Despite reaching out to his MP, MSP, and the DWP, he was simply told to wait. At the time, he was living on £86 a month in Universal Credit.
IncomeMax founder Lee Healey was a guest on the show that week and he offered some advice. The company took on Christopher's case and discovered that he had been waiting eight months for a PIP assessment.
Three days after IncomeMax got involved, Christopher received an appointment letter. The company helped him prepare for the appointment, spoke to the health advisory team and DWP overpayment team, and reduced his overpayment deductions to £1 per month. They also advised him on the process for a PIP assessment and how to proceed with his claims.
As a result of the assessment, Christopher was awarded a lump sum of £5,700, backdated to when he originally applied for PIP, and a monthly sum of £608 going forward. He also received his free bus pass. On a follow-up show, Martin Lewis described Lee Healey as "my hero who did more work than me on this case."
IncomeMax's involvement in Christopher's case highlights the importance of advocacy services for benefit claimants. The company's actions were instrumental in turning around Christopher's situation, providing him with the support he needed to get his life back on track.
You can read IncomeMax’s full Social Impact Report here.
Picture from IncomeMax website. Lee Healey (fourth from right) with the rest of the team.
