Spring 2013

The New Housing BenefitUnder-Occupationcharge is now in place!All those affected by the Under-Occupation charge, sometimes known as the ‘Bedroom Tax’ will havebeen notified of the changes to their housing benefit which commenced in April 2013.It is your responsibility as the tenant to ensure you make up any shortfalls in the ‘rent due’ because ofthe under occupancy charge. This must be paid directly to Parkway Green commencing 8th April 2013.If you have not done so already you must contact your rent officer for help arranging themost suitable payment method to avoid your rent account falling into arrears.REMEMBER: Failure to pay your rent could lead to legal action beingtaken by Parkway Green to recover the arrears, and may lead to youlosing your home.There is some limited support for those affected, provided by theDiscretionary Housing Fund, however the criteria for applying isextremely strict and only a few tenants will qualify.

To discuss payment options and set up payment planscontact Parkway Green Rents Team on Tel: 0300 111 0000

New Changes to Council Tax Benefit April 2013

For further information and advice contactManchester City Council on Tel: 0161 234 5002

Most tenants should now have received letters from Manchester City Council requesting payment towardsthis Years Council Tax bill. Most people previously on full Council Tax Benefit (excluding those on Pension

Credits) will now be expected to contribute 8.5% towards their Council Tax Bill. Council Tax Support(CTS) will be introduced in April 2013 and will replace Council Tax Benefit (CTB).

This means an average household in Council Tax Band A (before anydiscounts) would receive an approximate annual Council Tax bill of

£75.20, equivalent to £1.45 per week.

DO NOT ignore these letters. Unless it has been confirmed thatyou are exempt then you must pay the new Council Tax, and

you will need to make arrangements with Manchester CityCouncil to make suitable payment arrangements.

Failure to pay may lead to the Council issuing a Liability Orderagainst you and appointing County Court Bailiffs to recover

the outstanding debt.

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Get ahead and get banking today

Money Matters Drop In SessionsEvery Thursday Morning

Rents Update

There is a Money Matters Drop In session run by the Financial InclusionTeam, every Thursday morning from 9.00am -12.00pm at WythenshaweHouse (formerly Willow Park House, Poundswick Lane)

Just come along and speak to Rob or Clare about any of your moneymatters you would like to discuss or need advice or information on.

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luusion

NO NEEDFOR AN

APPOINTMENT

From April 2013 both the Willow Parkand Parkway Green Rents Teams will

be based at Wythenshawe House(formerly Willow Park House).

We will continue to have a DutyRent Officer available every day at

Parkway Green House Bowland RoadNeighbourhood Office, Portway

Neighbourhood Office and WillowPark House (now known as

Wythenshawe House).

All telephone numbers will remain the same.

Watch this space for more information

With a bank account you will be able to:-• Set up a direct debit to pay for rent and rent shortfall

• Pay for goods and services online and in store• Get cash back • Pay for all of your household bills by direct debit

• Pay your council tax by direct debit

Basic Bank AccountsIf you are looking for a no frills bank account that does not charge and gives you the freedom of a debit card and direct debit, then you need a basic bank account.

All banks provide basic bank accounts but you need to ask for it specifically in branch or online. Basic bank accounts also allow people with previous credit problems the ability to open a bank account.

To find a basic bank account pop in store to your favoured branch or compare products online using a price comparison website.

Manchester Credit UnionIf you’re looking for a local solution try the

Manchester Credit Union’s current account. It provides all the benefits of traditional banking but

is a not for profit organisation that still offersthe personal touch. Contact the Manchester

Credit Union directly on 0161 231 5222 orpop into the Wythenshawe branch today.

With the Housing Benefit Under Occupation Charge now in place andUniversal Credits around the corner it is a good time to get a bank

account to make sure your rent is paid on time.

If you need help call the Financial InclusionTeam or come to the Thursday morning drop in

at Wythenshawe House 0300 111 0000

Remember using direct debits anda debit card can save you money • you will get a discount by paying most bills by direct debit • shopping online is often cheaper than in store

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British Gas (Credit Customers)British Gas (Prepayment Meters)EDF EnergyEONNPOWERScottish PowerScottish and Southern

0800 072 86250800 294 86040800 096 90000800 051 14800808 172 69990800 027 27000800 300 1111

Supplier Contact Details

To claim or find out more information you need to contact your electricity supplieron one of the telephone numbers below and quote “WARM HOMES DISCOUNT”

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!!!

Payday Loans are a non-priority debt and if you are struggling financially you need to ensure youcan continue to make your priority payments such as Rent, Council Tax, Gas and Electric, andthen seek advice regarding other outstanding debts such as Payday Loans.

You can CANCEL your continuous authority paymentat ANYTIME by contacting either your Bank or thePayday Loan Company, but preferably you shouldcontact both.

If they then continue to take the payments fromyour bank, you can complain to the bank andask them to refund the money taken.

Remember you will still be responsible forpaying the money that you owe.

and if you are struggling financially you need to ensure youyments such as Rent, Council Tax, Gas and Electric, andtanding debts such as Payday Loans.

hority paymentur Bank or the

you should

ments fromank and

for

For further advice and support on managing theseor other debts you can speak to the

Financial Inclusion Team on 0300 111 0000

PAYDAY LOANS

Warm Home Discount,Open to New Applications May 2013Warm Home Discount is an extra discount that you may be eligible for if youare on a low income or in receipt of benefits. You could be entitled to £130.00credit towards your electricity bill by making a single phone call.

• Do you have any Payday Loans?• Are you struggling to pay the agreed payments?• Do they have a Continuous Authority to take payments direct from your Bank?

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New Community BasedMoney Mentors

Wythenshawe Community Housing Groupwould like to congratulate the above tenants whohave successfully completed their fully accredited

Community Based Money MentorTraining to Level 2.

They will now be able to support the serviceprovided by the Financial Inclusion Teamand will hopefully help the team to reach

more tenants.

For more information about theCommunity Based Money Mentors

contact the Financial Inclusion Teamon 0300 111 0000

Money Matters UpdateIt’s all change for the Willow Park Money

Matters Team and the Parkway Green DebtAdvice and Welfare Rights Services.

From April 2013 we will provide a jointFinancial Inclusion Service. This team will be

based at the newly named WythenshaweHouse (formerly Willow Park House).

The money and benefit advice services forboth Parkway Green and Willow Park residents

will remain and all the contact telephonenumbers stay the same.

Watch this space for more information.

The Rents TeamAndrew East-Erskine Rental Income Officer

Northern Moor West and Northenden

0161 946 6338

Susan Hyde Rental Income OfficerNewall Green

0161 946 6416

Jane Murphy Rental Income OfficerBaguley and Northern Moor North

0161 946 6341Pat Coates Rental Income Officer

Royal Oak and Bideford 0161 946 6340

Andrew Sullivan Rental Income OfficerBrooklands & Northern Moor East

0161 946 6342

Jane Golley Former Tenant and GaragesIncome Officer

0161 946 6317

The Financial Inclusion TeamBecky Banks Tenancy Sustainability Officer

0161 946 6343Dot Smith Debt Advice Coordinator

0161 946 6305Christine Farrelly Debt Advisor

0161 946 6372Nusrat Gibbon Debt Advisor

0161 946 6372Jo Woodcock Welfare Benefits Officer

0161 946 6370

Parkway Green Housing TrustWythenshawe House (Formerly Willow

Park House), 8 Poundswick Lane,Wythenshawe M22 9TA

andParkway Green House

460 Palatine Road, Northendenand

137 Bowland Road, Baguley

Tel: 0300 111 0000

Email: rentsenquiries@parkwaygreen.co.uk

Twitter: tweet@parkwaygreen

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