News 7 WELFARE REFORM


We’re always here to help


REMEMBER, you don’t need to be unemployed to get help from our advisors. We can help support you


even if you’re working full time or part time. Don’t wait until your


circumstances change - come and talk to us today. Our advisors are happy to speak to everyone. Our welfare benefits advisors can help you make sure you’re claiming the benefits and tax credits you’re


TENANT Jiri Korbicka is so happy with the help he received from staff he says GHA is his family. Jiri, who lives in


Sandyhills but is originally from the Czech Republic, struggled to find work, had his benefits stopped and was in danger of losing his right to stay in the UK. But after lifeline help


REMEMBER, you don’t need to be unemployed to get help from our advisors. We can help support you


even if you’re working full time or part time. Don’t wait until your


FAMILY GUY: Jiri, left, with GHA’s John O’Hara


GHA is family now


from his housing officer, Jiri is now working in our environmental teams, able to stay in the UK and has cleared off his rent arrears. Jiri, 44, said: “I had


problems finding a job and was in rent arrears. “My housing officer


entitled to. Our fuel advisors can help


helped me get work as a community janitor. “Now I can pay my rent, I


you stay warm at home and pay less on your bills. We can also help people


make a go of their home. Our Tenancy Support Service and My Great Start support new tenants and link with other


have a job and I am really happy. “I’ve had so much help


from GHA over the past three years. GHA is my family now.”


Changes to benefits: we can support you


THE UK Government is making more changes to the benefits system. A limit to the amount of benefits people


can claim per week, including the Housing Benefit paid directly to your landlord, is being introduced later this year. That limit - or benefit cap - will be £384.62 per week for couples or for people with children. For single people, it will be £257 per week. The Department of Work and Pensions


(DWP) has already written to people who will be affected. Remember, GHA can help give you support. If you think you’ll be affected - particularly


if you have more than three children in your household - please get in touch.


There are some exemptions to the cap, for


example disabled people and carers, and we can help you apply. We also can help you apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment. GHA Chair Gordon Sloan said: “We’re


always here to help tenants through welfare reform. “We’ve been in touch with all tenants who’ll be affected by these changes. “Our advisors can help you make sure


you’re claiming all the welfare benefits and tax credits you’re due and help you manage your money.” To make an appointment, talk to your housing officer or visit www.gha.org.uk


circumstances change - come and talk to us today. Our advisors are happy to speak to everyone. Our welfare benefits advisors can help you make sure you’re claiming the benefits and tax credits you’re entitled to. Our fuel advisors can help


you stay warm at home and pay less on your bills. We can also help people


make a go of their home. Our Tenancy Support Service and My Great Start support new tenants and link with other support services in the area. To make an appointment with any of our advisors, talk to your housing officer or visit www.gha.org.uk


Warmer home, cheaper bills


OUR fuel advisors can help you stay warm at home and pay less on your bills. Tenant Peter Berry from


Townhead had problems with the tariff he was on, the charges he was paying - and the fact his home was still cold. Peter, 51, said: “I had debt on the meter when I moved in but it wasn’t my debt. I was on the wrong tariff. The flat was cold and I was paying too much. “Maureen the fuel advisor helped me get a new meter installed. Now, I get monthly bills and I’m paying less. “Now I don’t need to worry about my fuel bills.” To make an appointment, talk to your housing officer.


theKEY - www.gha.org.uk


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