North Wales Housing

This section offers advice on how you can save money, access affordable loans and improve your financial situation. This relates to financial inclusion work that is carried out by staff throughout the Association, who are trained to offer advice and assistance on financial matters to all our tenants. If they cannot help you themselves they will be able to advise you where you can access further assistance.

You will find more information on money saving tips in the Making every Penny Count booklet, found in paying your rent / help with your budgeting section.

If you want to discuss any of the information supplied below please contact our Financial Inclusion Officer, Nicky Thomas on 01492 563297 or e mail her on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Home Contents Insurance

North Wales Housing does not insure your furniture, belongings or decoration against theft, fire, vandalism, burst pipes and other unforseen risks.

If you do not have home contents insurance then check out My Home below, whose scheme offers cheap affordable cover. You can also check comparison sites such as www.uswitch.com or www.moneysavingsupermarket.com for the cheapest policy.

How does My Home Contents Insurance benefit tenants?

• Instant cover available over the telephone
• Affordable premiums
• Cash payments available in addition to traditional payment methods
• No minimum security requirements for the property
• Tenants do not pay the first part of any claim
• Low sums insured available
• Excellent claims service
• One of the widest standard policy covers available to tenants today
• No excess for claims.

For further information on the scheme call 0113 203 5817 or 5843 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tenants wishing to find out more or take out cover please call 0845 337 2463.

Debt problems

Debt can come in many forms, such as rent arrears, unpaid utility bills, or difficulty in paying back loans. It can also be caused by various different factors such as illness, loss of work, reduction in benefit, or a relationship breakdown.

We can offer advice and help you find a sensible solution to your financial problem. We can put you in touch with other agencies such as the Citizens Advice Bureaux, Shelter Cymru, Credit Union, National Debt Line, Housing Debt Helpline Wales, who can give you free advice on welfare rights, benefits or other debts. There is always somebody to help you.

See useful links for details of free debt advice services.

Loan Sharks

A loan shark is an unlicensed money lender who charges very high interest rates and sometimes uses threats and violence to frighten people who cannot pay back their loan.

You can report a loan shark in confidence to the Illegal Money Lending Team:

• call 0300 123 3311
• send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Credit Unions

North Wales Credit Union is a community financial co-operative, owned by its members.

The Credit Union provides a wide range of financial services to anyone living or working in North Wales.

Their services include savings accounts (Christmas savings accounts help to budget for what can be the most expensive time of year!), prudent borrowing and affordable repayments on loans.

Click on www.northwalescu.co.uk for more details.

Bank Accounts

Basic bank accounts offer a convenient place to keep money you need for everyday use. You can arrange to have wages, State Pension and benefits or tax credits paid into one. You can also pay in cheques or cash free of charge, and set up 'direct debits' which pay regular bills automatically from your account.

With a basic bank account you get a cash card which you can use at a bank machine to withdraw cash. Some also offer a 'debit card' that you can pay for items with, and get 'cashback'; but with a basic account these will only work if there's enough money in your account.

You don't get a cheque book with a basic bank account, and you can't take out more money than is in the account ('go overdrawn'). For this reason basic bank accounts are useful for anyone worried about overspending.

A number of high street banks, building societies and Credit Unions offer basic bank accounts.

If you want help to open a bank account please contact Nicky Thomas on 01492 563297 or e mail her on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Budgeting and money healthcheck

Budgeting gives you an accurate picture of your financial situation and will help you identify any problems and avoid getting into debt.

Budgeting makes your money go further, and helps you make savings and choices about your money.

It helps you live without worry, and gives you peace of mind today and for your future. See help with your budgeting section to complete a budget sheet.

If you would like a full financial healthcheck click on http://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/healthcheck?utm_source=NWalHAExt&utm_medium=Website&utm_campaign=NP-TP

If you find that you are struggling to manage your money and would like to be referred for free independent money advice in your own home, then please contact Nicky Thomas on 01492 563297 or e mail her on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Benefits

If you think you may be entitled to additional benefits, but need help with applying, contact the Rents Team. We can carry out a welfare benefits health check to make sure that you are claiming your full benefit entitlement, and we can provide advice and help if you need to submit new claims.

You can also check on-line if you are entitled to benefits or grants by using a benefits calculator at www.turn2us.org.uk

If you are on a low income or receive state benefits such as Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance or State Pension you may be able to get Housing Benefit.

Telephone Line Rental

You may qualify for cheap line rental with BT if you claim one of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Pensions Credit (Guaranteed Credit)
• Employment and Support Allowance (income related)

BT Basic costs £14.40 (including VAT) for three months line rental. For that, you get a call allowance of up to £4.50 (including VAT) every three months.

Call BT on 0800 800 864 (8am-6pm Mon-Fri) to request a BT Basic application form. You must be the named account holder to apply.

Utilities

Energy costs are constantly changing, and we don’t know from one year to the next what we will be paying for gas and electric. That’s why it’s so important to shop around to make sure that you are getting the best deal.

If you claim certain benefits you may qualify for a discount on your energy bills.

For more advice check the useful links page.

Water – Welsh water have schemes to assist people who cannot afford to pay their bills or for those on certain benefits.

Contact Welsh water on 0800 052 0145 or visit www.dwrcymru.com