Rent Support Leaflet

Pictured: an arts and crafts session held in our Independent Living Apartments

Our teams are here to help with money concerns Our Rent Support team can provide confidential and practical help with rent, budgeting, and debt management. Our teams are here to support you and will never judge you, so if you’re worried about your finances, please get in touch.

Our Rent Support team can help: Increase your income We can help you apply for additional benefits and work with partner agencies to support your claims.

Help you get support We can refer you to relevant organisations to help give you expert advice tailored to your situation.

Find you the right debt solution We can work with you to help identify the best debt management options for you.

Support you with budgeting and bills We can guide you to help manage your money effectively and help you reduce and understand your important household bills.

Provide guidance and support We’re here whenever you need advice and can offer confidential and non-judgmental support.

For help and advice about any financial worries, please get in touch with our Rent Support team. You can call us on 0300 303 9848, email rentfirst@wvht.co.uk or visit www.wvht.co.uk/your-rent. We will never judge you, so please don’t hesitate to ask for help.

Paying your rent We want to make paying your rent as simple and stress-free as possible. Here are the options available to you: Direct Debit The easiest way to pay your rent is straight from your bank account with a Direct Debit.

You can choose any day of the month that works best for you. We offer Direct Debits weekly on Fridays, fortnightly (every other Friday), or every four weeks on a Friday. Monthly payments can be taken on any date. You can set these up through the MyAccount app, but if you have arrears, speak to your Rent Support Officer first to confirm the correct amount.

To get started, fill in the form on our website www.wvht.co.uk/rent-information and send it back to us by email rentfirst@wvht.co.uk or post to Weaver Vale Housing Trust, Gadbrook Point, Rudheath Way, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 7LL. My Account App You can pay your rent, book your repairs and much more on our My Account app. Visit myaccount.wvht.co.uk to get started.

24-Hour Automated Payment Line You can pay your rent any time of day by calling 0300 303 0309 with your 10-digit rent or garage reference number and a debit or credit card.

Rent payment card You can use your card to pay with cash, debit card, or cheque at any Payzone or Post Office. If you’ve lost your card contact us on 0300 303 9848 and we’ll order a new one for you.

Provide guidance and support If you need help with benefits, Universal Credit, or managing your money, our Rent Support team is here to guide you. You can contact them by calling 0300 303 9848, email rentfirst@wvht.co.uk or visit www.wvht.co.uk/your-rent.

Use My Account to manage your tenancy The easiest way to manage your Weaver Vale tenancy is with My Account.

Download the FREE My Account app, to manage your tenancy with us online. From booking a repair, seeing scheduled home improvements and paying your rent, it's easy with My Account.

It's completely free to download and means you can manage your tenancy wherever you are. The simple booking system allows you to select a date that suits you, direct from your phone, tablet or computer.

Scan the QR code using your phone camera to get started or visit myaccount.wvht.co.uk

Managing your household budgets Managing your money effectively starts with understanding your priority bills, these are the essential payments that keep your home secure, such as rent, council tax, gas, electricity, and water. Missing rent payments can lead to arrears and even losing your home, or missing other priority payments can lead to debt or affect your credit rating. Take control of your money with a simple budget, please cut out the sheet on the previous page to use as a budget tracker.

Budgeting isn’t about restrictions, it’s about confidence. A budget helps you: • • •

Stay in control of your money.

Plan ahead for bills and goals.

Reduce stress by knowing where your money goes.

Here are some useful tips when setting your budgets: • • • •

Be sure to use the same frequency for everything to give a more accurate budget.

Make sure that you prioritise essential bills. Try the 50/30/20 rule, 50% need (essential), 30% want (entertainment/treats) and 20% saving or debt repayment.

Set aside a small amount weekly for annual or unexpected expenses so they don’t catch you off guard such as MOT’s or if your washer was to break.

Check your budget regularly. If your income or bills change, update your plan so you stay on track.

If you’re struggling to meet your priority bills or need help with your rent or debts, we’re here to support and find solutions that work for you. Call the Rent Support team on 0300 303 9848 or email us at rentfirst@wvht.co.uk to find out how we can help.

We can help with your confidence and job-seeking Our Employment Support team are a group of friendly, experienced people, who work in the local community to support people to get valuable life skills. The team can help anyone over 18 regardless of whether you’re working. The support is completely free to access and you don’t need to be a Weaver Vale tenant.

The team can help with...

• • • •

1:1 mentoring to boost confidence.

Help with job seeking, employment & volunteering.

Discussions to improve health & wellbeing and aspirations.

Managing your money, plus lots more!

Find out more and contact the team today by calling 0300 303 9848, email workteam@wvht.co.uk or visit www.wvht.co.uk/employment-support

Our customers Rent Support journey A customer recently contacted our Rent Support team as they were struggling to manage all of their bills each month. Here’s how the team supported them.

We recently worked with customers who have poor health.

His wife is already receiving Attendance Allowance and he wanted to know if he too could apply. They are both carers for each other.

Our customers are suffering from poor health

He got in touch with the team

The Money Matters team helped the pair apply for Carers Allowance, which was awarded.

They then were able to claim Pension Credit Guarantee and were eligible for double carer premium and double Severe Disability Premium on their award.

He got in touch with our Rent Support team who looked at his benefits, and then referred him to our Money Matters team, who applied for benefits on their behalf.

Applying for extra benefits

Helped to obtain backdated payments

The team helped our customers apply for their benefits and they were awarded full housing benefit.

The team can help you too. Please get in touch by calling 0300 303 9848, email rentfirst@wvht.co.uk or visit www.wvht.co.uk/your-rent

Keeping your homes safe We want you to live in a home that is safe and clear of any damp and mould. We take damp, mould and condensation very seriously, if you spot any in your home, report it immediately.

Mould is: Mould is a fungus that grows when there’s too much moisture in the air. Mould is usually black or dark green in appearance and grows around damp areas such as windows but can also be visible on ceilings and walls.

Damp is: Damp is moisture or humidity on the walls inside homes that does not dry out.

Condensation is: Condensation looks like water droplets, or wet, around windows, glass or colder surfaces. If you spot this, wipe it dry to help prevent damp and mould.

If you spot any damp, mould or condensation in your home, or you need to report a repair, please get in touch by calling 0300 303 9848, emailing enquiries@wvht.co.uk or visiting www.wvht.co.uk/repairs.

Support numbers for you For Weaver Vale Housing Trust - General Call 0300 303 9848, email enquiries@wvht.co.uk For Weaver Vale Housing Trust - Neighbourhoods Call 0300 303 9848, email neighbourhoods@wvht.co.uk For Weaver Vale Housing Trust - Repairs Call 0300 303 9848, visit www.wvht.co.uk/repairs Samaritans - Call 116 123, visit www.samaritans.org Mind - Call 0300 123 3393, visit www.mind.org.uk National 24-hour Domestic Violence Helpline - 0808 200 0247 In an emergency call 999 Adult Social Care can help people who need support with everyday tasks and offer carers advice.

Cheshire West Adult Social Care 0300 123 7034 or out of hours emergency duty team call 01244 977 277 Cheshire East Adults Teams 0300 123 5010 or out of hours call 0300 123 5022 Warrington Adult Social Care 01925 443 322 or out of hours call 01925 444 400 Weaver Vale Housing Trust - Gadbrook Point - Rudheath Way - Gadbrook For about our support team303 visit www.wvht.co.uk/support Parkinformation - Northwich - Cheshire - CW9 7LL | 0300 9848 | Enquiries@wvht.co.uk | www.wvht.co.uk

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