We pride ourselves on being an approachable housing association and are committed to providing assistance whenever you need it.
If you want to discuss any of the information supplied below please contact our Incomes Team on 01492 572727 or [email protected].
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 [email protected]
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 [email protected]
Loan Sharks
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Financial Services from The Credit Union
North Wales Credit Union is a community financial co-operative, owned by its members. They provide a wide range of financial services to anyone living or working in North Wales, from savings accounts, prudent borrowing and affordable repayments on loans.
North Wales Credit Union is a community financial co-operative, owned by its members. They provide a wide range of financial services to anyone living or working in North Wales, from savings accounts, prudent borrowing and affordable repayments on loans.
Financial Services from The Credit Union
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Help with debt problems
Debt can come in many forms, such as rent arrears, unpaid utility bills, or difficulty in paying back loans. It can be caused by various different factors such as illness, loss of work, reduction in benefit, or a relationship breakdown. We can put you in touch with other agencies such as the Citizens Advice, Shelter Cymru, Credit Union, National Debt Line and Step Change who can give you free advice on welfare rights, benefits or other debts.
There is always somebody to help you.
Debt can come in many forms, such as rent arrears, unpaid utility bills, or difficulty in paying back loans. It can be caused by various different factors such as illness, loss of work, reduction in benefit, or a relationship breakdown. We can put you in touch with other agencies such as the Citizens Advice, Shelter Cymru, Credit Union, National Debt Line and Step Change who can give you free advice on welfare rights, benefits or other debts.
There is always somebody to help you.
Help with debt problems
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My Home – Home Contents Insurance
Why do I need it?
If you are a tenant who rents, it is unlikely your landlord will cover your contents as part of the tenancy agreement. It’s a good idea to consider what a home contents insurance policy would cover you for in order to help you make an informed decision on whether you need one.
Contents insurance is designed to help protect your possessions. No matter how careful you are, there’s always a risk that your belongings could be broken, damaged or stolen.
To help you decide whether home contents insurance is right for you,
North Wales Housing have teamed up with Thistle Tenant Risks, and Great Lakes Insurance UK Ltd who provide the My Home Contents Insurance Scheme, a Tenants Contents Insurance policy designed for tenants living in social housing.
The My Home Contents Insurance Scheme can offer you insurance for the contents of your home including cover for items such as furniture, carpets, curtains, clothes, bedding, electrical items, jewellery, pictures and ornaments.
How do you get further information?
o Call Thistle Tenant Risks on 0345 450 7288
o Alternatively, please visit the www.thistlemyhome.co.uk for more information or to request a call back.
Go to www.thistlemyhome.co.uk to find out more and to use our contents calculator to work out the value of your home contents
Limits and exclusions apply. A copy of the policy wording is available on request.
The National Housing Federation and Community Housing Cymru working in partnership with Thistle Insurance Services Ltd. Thistle Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Firm Reference Number 310419. Registered in England under No. 00338645. Registered office: Rossington’s Business Park, West Carr Road, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 7SW. Thistle Insurance Services Ltd is part of the PIB Group.
Our Data Protection Privacy Policy is online at https://www.thistleinsurance.co.uk/Privacy-Policy
It is important to protect your belongings and your Landlord suggests that you look for providers who are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Thistle Insurance Services are a company that specialises in social housing contents insurance, however there are also other providers that can be found on comparison websites like Money Supermarket or Compare the Market.
Why do I need it?
If you are a tenant who rents, it is unlikely your landlord will cover your contents as part of the tenancy agreement. It’s a good idea to consider what a home contents insurance policy would cover you for in order to help you make an informed decision on whether you need one.
Contents insurance is designed to help protect your possessions. No matter how careful you are, there’s always a risk that your belongings could be broken, damaged or stolen.
To help you decide whether home contents insurance is right for you,
North Wales Housing have teamed up with Thistle Tenant Risks, and Great Lakes Insurance UK Ltd who provide the My Home Contents Insurance Scheme, a Tenants Contents Insurance policy designed for tenants living in social housing.
The My Home Contents Insurance Scheme can offer you insurance for the contents of your home including cover for items such as furniture, carpets, curtains, clothes, bedding, electrical items, jewellery, pictures and ornaments.
How do you get further information?
o Call Thistle Tenant Risks on 0345 450 7288
o Alternatively, please visit the www.thistlemyhome.co.uk for more information or to request a call back.
Go to www.thistlemyhome.co.uk to find out more and to use our contents calculator to work out the value of your home contents
Limits and exclusions apply. A copy of the policy wording is available on request.
The National Housing Federation and Community Housing Cymru working in partnership with Thistle Insurance Services Ltd. Thistle Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Firm Reference Number 310419. Registered in England under No. 00338645. Registered office: Rossington’s Business Park, West Carr Road, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 7SW. Thistle Insurance Services Ltd is part of the PIB Group.
Our Data Protection Privacy Policy is online at https://www.thistleinsurance.co.uk/Privacy-Policy
It is important to protect your belongings and your Landlord suggests that you look for providers who are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Thistle Insurance Services are a company that specialises in social housing contents insurance, however there are also other providers that can be found on comparison websites like Money Supermarket or Compare the Market.
My Home – Home Contents Insurance
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Getting a basic bank account
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.
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.
Contact our Rents Team on 01492 572727 or [email protected] if you need help setting up a bank account.
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.
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.
Contact our Rents Team on 01492 572727 or [email protected] if you need help setting up a bank account.
Getting a basic bank account
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Cheaper broadband and phone packages
Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits.
They’re delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price.
Current prices range from £10 to £20
You will pay almost nothing in installation costs. It costs nothing to leave the tariff
For more information about the cheaper packages and how to apply for one – visit the Ofcom website.
You may qualify for cheap line rental with BT if you claim some benefits. 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.
Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits.
They’re delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price.
Current prices range from £10 to £20
You will pay almost nothing in installation costs. It costs nothing to leave the tariff
For more information about the cheaper packages and how to apply for one – visit the Ofcom website.
You may qualify for cheap line rental with BT if you claim some benefits. 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.
Cheaper broadband and phone packages
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Shop around for 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.
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.
Shop around for utilities
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Latest Universal Credit Migration News
Those affected:
Tenants receiving Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit (joint and single) will shortly be receiving a Migration Notice from the Department of Work and Pensions informing you that it is your time to move to Universal Credit (UC). (See information below that explains what this is).
What do I need to do?
The notices are being sent out between October 2023 and October 2024. You have up to 3 months to register online, your deadine date will be shown on your letter. Your old benefits will stop after this deadline. Don’t do it before you receive the notice.
If you have received your Migration Notice letter, you can click this link to start making your claim for UC > Universal Credit if you receive a Migration Notice letter – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
When is the best time to do it?
Once you have received your Migration Notice letter and immediately after you have received a payment, as we don’t want you to be out of pocket.
When is it going to be happening?
Letters are going to be sent out any time from October 2023 and October 2024, so you may receive your Migration Notice in the next few weeks, or it might be next year, we just want you to be prepared.
If you need support to make your claim, please contact our lovely Income team on 01492 572727, who have already helped hundreds of tenants successfully move to UC.
Those affected:
Tenants receiving Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit (joint and single) will shortly be receiving a Migration Notice from the Department of Work and Pensions informing you that it is your time to move to Universal Credit (UC). (See information below that explains what this is).
What do I need to do?
The notices are being sent out between October 2023 and October 2024. You have up to 3 months to register online, your deadine date will be shown on your letter. Your old benefits will stop after this deadline. Don’t do it before you receive the notice.
If you have received your Migration Notice letter, you can click this link to start making your claim for UC > Universal Credit if you receive a Migration Notice letter – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
When is the best time to do it?
Once you have received your Migration Notice letter and immediately after you have received a payment, as we don’t want you to be out of pocket.
When is it going to be happening?
Letters are going to be sent out any time from October 2023 and October 2024, so you may receive your Migration Notice in the next few weeks, or it might be next year, we just want you to be prepared.
If you need support to make your claim, please contact our lovely Income team on 01492 572727, who have already helped hundreds of tenants successfully move to UC.
Latest Universal Credit Migration News
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Cheaper Water rates
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.
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.
Cheaper Water rates
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Money Advice Officers
What we offer
Our dedicated team offer our tenants a full advice service on all things money-related. Whether you need advice to find the right deal, help applying for benefits, you have debt, or want some help to make your money go further, the right guidance and advice matters.
The service is here to offer free, confidential, impartial advice to help you get the most out of your income and reduce your outgoings.
We can…
– Help you manage your money better by looking for ways to increase your income & reduce your outgoings
– Undertake Benefit checks and ensure that you are claiming all of the benefits you are entitled to. We can also support you with appeals.
– Help you to explore your debt problem, explain the debt options available and how they may affect you.
– Assist with grant applications.
– Help you apply for extra funding to help if you are struggling to pay your rent (known as a Discretionary Housing Payment).
– Financial Education- building confidence around finances and numeracy skills.
To make an appointment with a Money Advice Officer please call 01492 572727 or e-mail [email protected]
If you’re struggling to afford the essentials or need advice and support, please contact your Income Officer for help.
What we offer
Our dedicated team offer our tenants a full advice service on all things money-related. Whether you need advice to find the right deal, help applying for benefits, you have debt, or want some help to make your money go further, the right guidance and advice matters.
The service is here to offer free, confidential, impartial advice to help you get the most out of your income and reduce your outgoings.
We can…
– Help you manage your money better by looking for ways to increase your income & reduce your outgoings
– Undertake Benefit checks and ensure that you are claiming all of the benefits you are entitled to. We can also support you with appeals.
– Help you to explore your debt problem, explain the debt options available and how they may affect you.
– Assist with grant applications.
– Help you apply for extra funding to help if you are struggling to pay your rent (known as a Discretionary Housing Payment).
– Financial Education- building confidence around finances and numeracy skills.
To make an appointment with a Money Advice Officer please call 01492 572727 or e-mail [email protected]
If you’re struggling to afford the essentials or need advice and support, please contact your Income Officer for help.
Money Advice Officers
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What is Universal Credit?
Universal Credit is a single monthly payment of benefit for people in or out of work. Some single people and families are already claiming Universal Credit.
People making a new claim for benefit may be expected to claim Universal Credit as full service rolls out to their local authority area.
It’s different because:
You will only get one monthly payment for your household
Universal Credit will be paid into your bank account
If you’re entitled to help with your rent, this will be included in the monthly payment and you will have to pay the rent to us yourself.
You will have to apply for and manage your Universal Credit online: a statement will show on your Universal Credit Journal a few days before your monthly payment is due. This shows a breakdown of your benefit entitlement. It is your responsibility to check this.
You will still need to claim some benefits separately, like Council Tax Reduction and Personal Independence Payment.
Universal Credit is replacing the benefits below:
Housing Benefit
Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit
Income Support
Employment Support Allowance (income related)
Job Seekers Allowance (income based)
Who is Universal Credit for?
Universal Credit is for people who:
are on a low income
need help with living costs
are working (including self-employed or part time)
are out of work
have a health condition that affects their ability to work.
For more detailed information on UC, please visit:
https://ucnotes.co.uk
Universal Credit is a single monthly payment of benefit for people in or out of work. Some single people and families are already claiming Universal Credit.
People making a new claim for benefit may be expected to claim Universal Credit as full service rolls out to their local authority area.
It’s different because:
You will only get one monthly payment for your household
Universal Credit will be paid into your bank account
If you’re entitled to help with your rent, this will be included in the monthly payment and you will have to pay the rent to us yourself.
You will have to apply for and manage your Universal Credit online: a statement will show on your Universal Credit Journal a few days before your monthly payment is due. This shows a breakdown of your benefit entitlement. It is your responsibility to check this.
You will still need to claim some benefits separately, like Council Tax Reduction and Personal Independence Payment.
Universal Credit is replacing the benefits below:
Housing Benefit
Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit
Income Support
Employment Support Allowance (income related)
Job Seekers Allowance (income based)
Who is Universal Credit for?
Universal Credit is for people who:
are on a low income
need help with living costs
are working (including self-employed or part time)
are out of work
have a health condition that affects their ability to work.
For more detailed information on UC, please visit:
https://ucnotes.co.uk
What is Universal Credit?
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Discretionary Assistance Fund – Welsh Government
Emergency Assistance Payment (EAP)
A grant to help pay for essential costs, such as food, gas, electricity, clothing or emergency travel if you:
– Are experiencing extreme financial hardship.
– Have lost your job.
– Have applied for benefits and are waiting for your first payment.
You cannot use it to pay for ongoing bills that you cannot afford to pay.
Individual Assistance Payment (IAP)
A grant to help you or someone you care for live independently in their home or a property that you or they are moving into.
Use the grant to pay for:
– A fridge, cooker or washing machine and other ‘white goods’.
– Home furniture such as beds, sofas and chairs.
For more information, visit https://www.gov.wales/discretionary-assistance-fund-daf
Emergency Assistance Payment (EAP)
A grant to help pay for essential costs, such as food, gas, electricity, clothing or emergency travel if you:
– Are experiencing extreme financial hardship.
– Have lost your job.
– Have applied for benefits and are waiting for your first payment.
You cannot use it to pay for ongoing bills that you cannot afford to pay.
Individual Assistance Payment (IAP)
A grant to help you or someone you care for live independently in their home or a property that you or they are moving into.
Use the grant to pay for:
– A fridge, cooker or washing machine and other ‘white goods’.
– Home furniture such as beds, sofas and chairs.
For more information, visit https://www.gov.wales/discretionary-assistance-fund-daf
Discretionary Assistance Fund – Welsh Government
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