On your bike! - Redditch Borough Council - Worcestershire Hub

Residents helped
to boost their income
REDDITCH residents are being encouraged to boost their income
by finding out what benefits they may be entitled to.
The Benefit Section at Redditch Borough Council has put together
a new strategy to enable them to actively target those who may
not be claiming all the benefits that they could be entitled to.
They have employed two Income Maximisation Officers to work
face-to-face with residents and external organisations. The Income
Maximisation Officers will also work closely with companies and
speak to those at risk of redundancy to make sure they are aware
of the benefits they can claim, whether it be Housing or Council
Tax benefits, grants, or payments towards their bills.
David Taylor, Benefits Services Manager, said: “Many people have
no idea of what grants and benefits are out there for them
whether it be help with paying the bills or free insulation to keep
down the costs.
“Redditch Borough Council wants to help everyone maximise their
income as benefit take-up provides a safety net in hard times and
also helps to put money back into the local economy.
“Benefit take-up puts extra cash into local areas as increased
benefit income is usually spent on local goods and services; such
as housing, food, transport and leisure. Supporting family income
is a good way of supporting local communities.”
Michele Conway, Income Maximisation Officer, said: “There are
millions of pounds that go unclaimed simply because people
don’t fully understand the benefits system. We are here to advise
and to promote the benefits that are available to claim.”
As part of the strategy, the Council will also be working closely with
Age Concern, the local Job Centre Plus as well as the local
Citizens Advice Bureau.
To find out if you can claim benefits visit www.redditchbc.gov.uk
and try the new entitlement calculator. Residents can also email
hbenefits@redditchbc.gov.uk, call (01527) 534050, or call in at
one of the Council's One Stop Shops.
Walking the Patch
TENANCY Officers regularly walk Redditch estates and the
communal areas of Council flats to check whether they are
clean and identify any problems.
Residents can join Tenancy Officers on one of the following
inspections taking place until June in different areas of
Redditch:
➤ Woodrow, 26th March ➤ Greenlands, 21st May
➤ Church Hill South, 9th April ➤ Winyates West, 4th June
➤ Mayfields, 23rd April ➤ Batchley, 18th June.
➤ Lodge Park, 7th May
For more information call (01527) 534188
Michele Conway and
Laura Fyles, Redditch
Borough Council’s two
Income Maximisation
Officers.
Did you know your
entitlement may have changed
Child benefit and child maintenance are no longer counted
when the Council calculates a claimant's weekly income and
disregards are made for child care costs.
The Council also no longer assumes income from any savings or
investments below £10,000 for those aged 65 or over. Although,
if you have more than £16,000 in savings or investments you will
not be able to receive either Housing Benefit or Council Tax
Benefit, unless you receive Guarantee Pension Credit.
Help us improve our services
REDDITCH tenants are being
given the chance to have
their say on how services are
delivered by the Council.
Next month all current and
future tenants will be invited
to a Housing Service
Standard event where they
will be able to give their views
on some of the services
which are most important to
them.
Anyone interested in
attending this event or keen
to have their say on any
housing related matters
should contact the Tenant
Involvement Team on (01527)
534188 or email
tpteam@redditchbc.gov.uk.
Pay your rent
at any time from anywhere!
COUNCIL tenants can now pay their rent over the phone 24
hours a day, seven days a week by calling (01527) 534005.
A recorded message asks callers to select one for Council Tax
and two for rent or support charges. It then prompts callers to
enter their reference number before taking card payment.
Tenants can also choose to pay online, at Pay Zone outlets
with a swipe card, by direct debit or in one of the One Stop
Shops.
Redditch Borough Council Redditch matters 13