Money matters

Our Money Advice Team is here to help, and it's all confidential and free.

We'll check to see if you could be getting more benefits and help you figure out how to spend less. We're up to date on the latest changes in benefits and always on the lookout for local grants and programs that could help you.

Our advisors will carefully look at your situation and assist you with:

• Claiming benefits
• Finding discounts for water and internet bills
• Reconsidering benefit applications
• Navigating through tribunals
• Managing your budget
• Accessing foodbanks

Last year we helped 1,577 customers find over £2.3 million additional income.

The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) has started moving people from certain working age benefits to Universal Credit - this known as Managed Migration.  The benefits affected are known as legacy benefits and are listed below:

• Income Support
• Income based job seekers allowance
• Income related employment and support allowance
• Housing benefit
• Child and working tax credits

The process of Managed Migration is happening in stages and will affect different areas at different times. The DWP aim to complete this process by 2028.

If you are going to be moved onto Universal Credit, you will receive a letter known as a Migration Notice.

*Do not ignore your Migration Notice*

We would strongly recommend you don’t miss your deadline date.  The DWP may extend (at their discretion) the deadline by 1 month.

If you claim after the final deadline:

• Your legacy benefits will stop immediately
• You won't get transitional protection
• Your Universal Credit won't be backdated

Under Universal Credit, you’ll receive benefits in one lump sum, paid monthly.  In the past your local council may have paid your housing benefit straight to us.  Under Universal Credit, this is paid to you.

Most of our tenants pay by Direct Debit. We can set up a Direct Debit with you so that when you receive your housing costs from Universal Credit, a Direct Debit is set up to collect what you need to pay in full.

If you are on Universal Credit, you will need to make a separate claim for Council Tax Support.

• For information about the move to universal credit, please click here.
• For information about what to do if you receive a migration notice, please click here.
• For information about claiming Universal Credit, please click here.

Universal Credit Migration Notice helpline

• Phone: 0800 169 0328  - Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm - 0800 phone numbers are free to call from mobiles and landlines.
• Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0328.
• Video relay service for British Sign Language (BSL) users. Watch the video to find out how to use the Video relay service on mobile or tablet.