10 August 2020
Got money worries? We can help
We know that many people are facing new challenges just now, perhaps experiencing a drop in income and having to negotiate the benefits systems for the first time. We can help. One of our Tenants recently told us how his Neighbourhood Housing Officer and SBHA’s Welfare Benefits Officer have been helping him through this period.
“I’m a painter and decorator, have worked all my life, never missed a rent payment. But I couldn’t work because of the coronavirus, and it was a worry. We had to borrow from family. I had to apply for Universal Credit for the first time – I’ve never claimed benefits before and the whole system just seemed really complicated.
My Housing Officer was a great help. She sat with her laptop on the other end of the phone, and I was here on mine, and she talked me through the whole online application.
SBHA’s Welfare Benefits Officer was also brilliant; she has been helping me update my journal. She’s also helped me apply for Discretionary Housing Payment and for a reduction on my Council Tax. I think it’s important, particularly for older people who might not be used to being online, to know that there’s help like this available. And also for people who have never claimed benefits before to know what’s available.
I’ve managed to get some money through the support scheme for self-employed people, which meant I was able to clear my debts – that was a big relief.
SBHA also put me in touch with Changeworks as my electric bills are quite high. They’re going to see if there’s another tariff I could be on to help bring that down a bit.
It’s just great to know that there is help there. I feel better about things now – you’ve just got to get on with it, haven’t you?”
Give us a call on 01750 724444, or email enquiries@sbha.org.uk, to find out how we can help you.
