In this Newsletter:
Could You Be Better Off with a Benefit Check?
Did you know our Financial Inclusion Officers can help tenants and leaseholders do a benefit check?
A tenant did this with our Financial Inclusion Officer, and they are now £196 per week better off!
What was the process?
A Referral was made to the Financial Inclusion team from one of the Independent Living Coordinators, asking if they could do a benefit check for this tenant as they suspected they weren't receiving all the help they could be.
Teresa, one of the Financial Inclusion Officers completed a home visit, discussed the tenant’s circumstances and completed a benefit check.
'It was clear she was struggling to meet all of her outgoings due to being on a limited income and having to contribute towards rent and Council Tax costs.'
The tenant also has many health conditions but told Teresa that her previous application for Attendance Allowance had been rejected. Teresa said they should make a new application.
Application
With the tenant, Teresa put together an application for Attendance Allowance and submitted it with medical supporting evidence.
Success! The tenant was awarded £92.40 per week.
Teresa then visited the tenant again, as she knew once the Attendance Allowance was awarded it would change her entitlement to Pension Credit, Housing Benefit & Council Tax Support. Together they applied for Pension Credit and again was successful!
The Difference!
Before our Financial Inclusion Officer Involvement, the tenant was receiving £200.53 a week, this included state pension, occupational pension and other benefits. They also had to pay money towards rent and Council Tax.
After our Financial Inclusion Officer got involved, the tenant is now receiving £396.60 a week. This includes new benefits of the Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit. They are now also entitled for full Council Tax contribution and full Housing Benefit.
Overall that's £196.07 better off per week and £784.28 better off every 4 weeks!
Backdated Money
Due to the tenant being awarded the Attendance Allowance, which is a qualifying benefit, the tenant was entitled to backdated benefits of around £1000!
The tenant said 'The service I received was excellent. I should like to comment however, that the Financial Inclusion Officer, Teresa Seymour, who helped me was excellent. Extremely knowledgeable, very professional with an exceptional level of understanding and compassion that helped me enormously on a personal level. I could not have achieved the help and support she achieved for me, on my own.
I did not know about the Service until I was told about it by my Independent Living Coordinator who recommended I contact the Service.'
It's never too late to ask for help. You can contact our Financial Inclusion team in the following ways:
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Housing at Hemlock Happening
Come visit the Housing Team at the Hemlock Happening on Saturday 3 June, 1pm to 6pm.
We'll have information on a range of Housing services from Garages, Lifeline and Homesearch. As well as ways for Tenants and Leaseholders to get involved and have their say.
We've also got a giant 'King Charles Coronation emblem' for everyone to colour in! Once it's all coloured in, we will share the community emblem on our social media channels.
There'll also be activities for kids to take away too!
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Changes to the Regulatory of Social Housing
There are big changes happening in Social Housing.
From 1st April 2023 regulatory changes came into force that all social housing registered providers are subject to. The changes have been brought about as a direct response to the Grenfell tragedy.
This has resulted in stronger powers for the Regulator of Social Housing to utilise in ensuring social housing providers are providing the best service possible to tenants.
Each month we will share one of the changes/updates that is happening in Housing. These include:
- New Regulatory Regime
- Inspections of Social Housing Landlords
- New Tenant Satisfaction Measures
- Decent Home Standard Review
- Housing Qualifications
- Consumer Standards
- Electrical Safety Consultation
- Damp and Mould on their radar!
You can also read the latest updates to the Social Housing Bill here.
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Loneliness Awareness Week
12 - 18 June
Connection matters. It's what makes us human.
Whether it’s your regular barista, the friendly dog on your walk, or the shopkeeper down the road, everyday moments of connection matter. They allow us to make connections, feel happier and less lonely.
For Loneliness Awareness Week 2023, we're encouraging everyone to harness these moments of connection. Together, we can all feel less lonely.
This year tenants at The Willows have been making meaningful connections and getting together to get crafty. They have started making cards for different occasions from Easter to Birthdays.
'We both love crafting, so we thought we would try making cards together. It's a great way to socialise, connect over the same interest and keep mentally active.'
'I love it! I find it very relaxing and enjoyable.'
All the money sold from the cards go into their community social fund.
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Call B4 You Serve
Calling all Landlords! Are you considering giving notice to your tenants?
If so please contact Call B4 You Serve for help with:
- Rent arrears
- Mediation
- Communication issues
- Help and advice
Call B4 You Serve is committed to helping landlords and preventing homelessness at the earliest opportunity.
For more information on how to make a referral please contact the friendly team.
Tel: 01332 640962
Email: CB4YS@derby.gov.uk
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Volunteers' Week
1 - 7 June
Volunteers’ Week 2023 is a time to celebrate and inspire. We aim to highlight that our diversity is our strength, show that there’s more than one way to volunteer and encourage people to be the change that we want to see.
Volunteers are always active at the heart of every UK community. So taking the time during Volunteers’ Week to celebrate and recognise their efforts and all they contribute to our local communities, the voluntary sector and society as a whole have never been more important.
Could you volunteer as a Neighbourhood Champion?
We’re looking for Council tenants and leaseholders who want to play an active role in improving their neighbourhoods, to provide much needed support to their neighbours, local area and community. Supported by the Housing team, you can make a real difference to your local area.
You can choose which aspects of the Neighbourhood Champions role to take part in, based on what interests you and how much time you have. Even a little time given can help to make a big difference.
You can:
- Be a good neighbour by helping new tenants settle into the area, or giving advice about how to access Housing services
- Help improve your neighbourhood through joining your Neighbourhood Coordinator on inspections, or through applying for funding through our Housing Community Fund
- Share feedback by encouraging other tenants to get involved with Housing, or by attending our Resident Involvement Group meetings
Visit our Neighbourhood Champions web page for more details, or contact the Housing Engagement team for a chat about the role: 0115 917 3935 or housingengagement@broxtowe.gov.uk
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Can You Spot the Signs?
Domestic abuse isn't just physical. It's about someone you know trying to control your life. This could be a partner, ex-partner, or someone in the family. It can be financial, psychological, emotional or sexual.
Can you spot the signs?
- May be withdrawn
- Tread on egg-shells especially around their partner
- Constantly checking in with their partner
- Explanations for injuries that don't add up
If you or someone you know is experiencing these signs please seek advice.
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Bike Week 100
5 - 11 June
Cycle for the Century.
5-11 June 2023 is the 100th annual Bike Week, marking a century of celebrating everyday cycling for everyone.
Did you know Stapleford has FREE cycling for families and adults every Sunday morning?
- 10am - 11am - Learn to Ride
- 11am - 12.30pm - Group led ride with Qualified instructor.
Just pop along! Or for more information email customerservices@ridewise.org.uk
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