SUMMER 2015
M O N E Y
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H E L P
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A D V I C E
BE PREPARED! Don’t put your home at risk – we’re here to help. With the introduction of Universal Credit from this autumn, you will be responsible for paying your rent directly to Monmouthshire Housing Association. Call us on 0345 677 2277
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Money Matters
Get Ready for Universal Credit
BE PREPARED!
Don’t put your home at risk. We’re here to help.
Don’t forget - Monmouthshire Housing Association (MHA) are here to help you. Call us on 0345 677 2277 for support and advice on Universal Credit. You can also call the Your Benefits are Changing advice line on 0300 303 1073 for free, independent advice.
Within this newsletter you will find a leaflet outlining how to apply From autumn 2015 new Universal Credit will for Universal Credit, begin to replace most existing benefits and what you need to consider and how to prepare limit the total amount of benefit a person for the changes to your benefits. can claim. Are you ready for Universal Credit?
The UK Government is changing the way people receive their benefits. The ‘Your Benefits are Changing’ campaign (YBAC) has been set up to inform people about these changes and to provide free, independent advice to those who need it.
What is Universal Credit?
Universal Credit is the name of a new monthly payment that will replace a number of current benefits and tax credits. These include Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Income Support and Working Tax Credit.
How is Universal Credit different from my current benefit payment?
You’ll receive Universal Credit if you get benefits to: • Top up a low income • Raise children
• Help with the cost of rent
• Top up a carer’s allowance
• Care for children under five
• Universal Credit will be paid into your bank account.
• Help when you are unemployed or sick and have low National Insurance contributions.
• You’ll get one monthly payment for your whole household.
When?
• Housing Benefit will be included in this payment and you’ll have to pay your rent to your landlord yourself.
Universal Credit is being rolled out across the country in stages and has already come to Wales. New benefit claimants will be put on to Universal Credit first and then all existing claimants will be moved over to the new system gradually between now and 2018.
• You will have to apply for and manage Universal Credit online.
MHA0313 Universal Credit Tear Off Flyer.indd 1
Tear off this checklist to make sure you’ve got everything you need to fill in your application for:
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If you claim any of these benefits and are under During the switch to Universal Credit, claimants will have to wait around five weeks before pensionable age YOU WILL be affected by their first Universal Credit payment is made. Universal Credit from Autumn 2015. • Jobseeker’s Allowance Did you know? • Housing Benefit Five weeks rent, based on the average • Working Tax Credit weekly rent of £97.00 per week, works out at • Child Tax Credit £485.00. • Employment and Support Allowance You will be responsible for paying your rent • Income Support directly to MHA.
How you can help yourself Pay Direct
MHA has launched a Direct Payment Pilot (DPP) project with Monmouthshire County Council’s Housing Benefit Department to help prepare our tenants for the introduction of Universal Credit. Find out more by calling Cally McCarthy on 01495 767151
Start Saving
If you open a Gateway Credit Union Account through MHA, we will give you £10 to start you off. See the back cover for full details.
Get into work
Our Work and Skills Wise team can help you get the skills, training and knowledge to find work and a regular income. Call us on 0345 677 2277
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Summer 2015
#123 Campaign MHA’s #123 Campaign will help you prepare for the changes to your benefits starting this autumn. We will be sending you a postcard and text messages every month for three months featuring key information on how you can best prepare for the changes to your benefits.
#1
Get the right bank account Choose an account that lets you receive automated payments Your bank, building society, or credit union account will need to receive automated payments because that is how your Universal Credit will be paid. Set up Direct Debits It’s useful to set up Direct Debits and standing orders for bills like your rent, gas and electricity. Decide whether you need a joint account If you and your partner are both eligible for Universal Credit, you’ll get a single payment for both of you – you can choose to have it paid into a joint or a single account.
Money Saving Tip
Did you know?
MoneySupermarket offers fantastic advice and money saving tips. Visit www.moneysupermarket.com
If you open a bank account that doesn’t have an overdraft facility you won’t normally have to go through a credit check. twitter.com/mon_housing
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Money Matters
#123 Campaign
#2
Draw up a budget Use the Money Advice Service budget planner The Money Advice Service online planner tool can help you sort out your finances & draw up a list of your income and outgoings. Visit www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/budget
Prioritise your rent payments If you’re used to having your rent paid directly to MHA you’ll soon be responsible for paying it yourself. You’ll need to keep it separate from your general spending money.
Get ready for monthly payments Universal Credit will be paid monthly so if you’re used to working out your spending weekly or fortnightly, you’ll have to start managing your money across the month.
Money Saving Tip
Did you know?
Turning your thermostat down by just 1ºC could save you as much as £60 per year.
Over half of UK households who keep a budget say it gives them peace of mind and makes them feel better about life in general.
Foodbanks
Foodbanks provide short term, emergency food to individuals and families who are struggling financially. Search online for contact details of your nearest foodbank.
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Summer 2015
#123 Campaign
#3
Get online Get access to a computer If you don’t have access to a computer connected to the internet, MHA’s Web Wise service can help you get onto a computer and online.
Sign up for a training course If you’re worried your IT skills aren’t good enough to claim your Universal Credit online, Web Wise can help you get online & understand how Universal Credit works.
Start using the internet to manage your money Being online gives you access to lots of ways to save money – from cheaper energy tariffs to money off vouchers and comparison websites.
Money Saving Tip
Did you know?
Sign up to voucher web sites so that you can search for money saving deals online. But be careful not to use them unless you would have bought the product anyway.
Most people will have to make their Universal Credit claim – and keep their account up to date – online.
Get Web Wise
MHA’s Web Wise service can help you to use a computer, get online and make the most of the web. Contact Claire Griffin on 01495 767194 or 07771 947789
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Money Matters
Frequently Asked Questions How is Universal Credit different from my current benefit payment? • Universal Credit will be paid directly into your bank account • You will get one monthly payment for your whole household
How long will it take for my claim to be processed? New claimants should receive their first payment around five weeks after the date on which they make a claim. This is made up of an assessment period of one calendar month plus a further seven days to process the claim. What benefits will I receive during the Universal Credit assessment period? You will not receive any benefit payments of the qualifying benefits during this five week period so it is important that you plan for this and save a little now each month to get you through. It may be possible for you to make a claim for a hardship loan payment during this period.
• All of your rent that is currently paid directly to MHA will be included in this payment • You will have to pay your rent to MHA yourself • You will have to apply and manage Universal Credit online
Citizens Advice Bureau
Your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) can help you with a wide range of issues, including managing debt and financial problems. Abergavenny CAB tel. 03444 772 020 Chepstow CAB tel. 03444 772 020
Caldicot CAB tel. 01291 423840
Monmouth CAB tel. 03444 772 020
If you would like this Newsletter in a different format (e.g. large print, electronically, etc.) or in Welsh please contact Louise Davies on 01495 761104 or email louise.davies@monmouthshirehousing.co.uk 0345 677 2277 communityservices@monmouthshirehousing.co.uk www.monmouthshirehousing.co.uk facebook.com/Monmouthshire.Housing twitter.com/mon_housing
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Scan the QR code to access the MHA website.
Summer 2015
Win a tablet!
To be in with a chance of winning a Fujitsu tablet, simply like, share and re-tweet MHA’s Facebook posts and tweets about Welfare Reform and Universal Credit. The draw for the tablet will be at the end of August.
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FOLLOW MHA ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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How we’re helping our tenants prepare for Universal Credit MHA has launched a Direct Payment Pilot (DPP) project with Monmouthshire County Council’s Housing Benefit Department to help prepare our tenants for the introduction of Universal Credit. This change will be significant to the way most benefits are currently paid. Our DPP project not only gives us the opportunity to see how the Universal Credit process will work in practice, but will also help us to assess what assistance our tenants need. From January 2015 all tenants on the DPP project have received their Housing Benefit payments directly to a bank account and arranged payment of their rent to MHA (other benefits have not been affected). Tenants on the DPP project have been able to access support with budgeting and money management and will be supported throughout the process enabling them to be better prepared for Universal Credit. If you would like to join this pilot and benefit from all the increased support available, or would like more information, please contact MHA’s Welfare Reform Neighbourhood Officer, Cally McCarthy on 01495 767151
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How we can help you Money Wise can help you make more of your money. Money Wise is a free, confidential service designed to help you maximise your income and reduce your outgoings, so you have more money in your pocket. We can help you with: • Budgeting • Managing debt • Support around Universal Credit • Banking and using a Credit Union • Saving money on bills and much more! Call us on 0345 677 2277 MHA’s Work and Skills Wise is a free service that can help you into work, education and training. Our Work and Skills Wise Team provides jargon free, friendly and unbiased support, tailored to suit your needs. Call us on 0345 677 2277 Web Wise can help you to use a computer, get online and make the most of the web. Contact Claire Griffin on 01495 767194 or 07771 947789
The Smart Move Scheme is open to any MHA tenants who are looking to downsize to a smaller home, which they will fully occupy. There are grants of up to £1,000 available to help you move. Call us on 0345 677 2277 to find out more.
Lost your job? Had your hours cut?
10 £10 £101£100 ££101£0 10 £ 0 1 £ 0 1 £ 0 1 £ 1 0 £ £ 0 1 1 £ 0 1 £ £10 0 1 £ 0 We can help - call us on 0345 677 2277
1 £ 0 1 £ 0 1 £ £10 £1
Join the Gateway Credit Union today and receive £10 to help you kick start your savings. Please take this voucher along to your local Gateway Credit Union: ABERGAVENNY Gateway Credit Union/ Abergavenny CAB 19a/b Cross Street, NP7 5EW Mon- Wed & Fri: 10am-3pm Tel: 01873 858938
£10 £10
CALDICOT One Stop Shop (next to the Library) Woodstock Way, Caldicot, NP26 5DB Tue & Thur: 10am-12pm Tel: 07905 411336
CHEPSTOW 50A Bulwark Rd, Bulwark, Chepstow, NP16 5JN Tel: 01291 409582 Tue & Thur: 10am-4pm Tel: 01291 409582
MONMOUTH Old Woodland Stores 82 Woodland View, Wyesham, Monmouth, NP25 3LB Tue: 9.30am-11.30am
0 1 £ 0 1 £ 0 1 £ 0 1 £ 0 1 £ 0 1 £ 0 1 £ 0 1 £
For more information about the scheme call 01495 742500