Money Matters

Financial help and advice

It is YOUR responsibility to make sure your rent is paid in full and on time because we need this money to provide services to residents.

poundsWe offer lots of different easy ways to pay to help you avoid getting behind with your rent.

Having trouble paying the rent?

We understand the problems of getting by on a limited budget, so we’re ready to help you sort things out. If you are not sure what rent you should pay, are having problems paying the rent, or think you are going to have problems paying your rent, you should contact the Income Services team  IMMEDIATELY on 0300 100 1012 or our online form.

The sooner you let us know, the sooner we can help you.

South West Pound  Westcountry has a partnership with South West Pound to enable residents access to free impartial advice on managing money.

To find out more about the services offered by South West Pound, please call the Income Services Team. Alternatively, contact South West Pound on freephone number 0800 3169296 during office hours of 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Thursday and 4.00pm closing on Fridays. A 24 hour answer phone service is also available where a call back will be made the next working day.  Visit the South West Pound website to learn more.     

We can do things like:

  • give advice on and help you to claim Housing Benefit (for residents in Plymouth and Torbay we can also receive and verify claims and associated documents);
  • give advice on and help you to claim Discretionary Housing Benefit payments; 
  • give advice on and help you to claim other welfare benefits;
  • give advice on how to manage debts and budgeting.  Alternatively, you can visit the website of National Debtline or the Consumer Credit Counselling Service
  • negotiate an agreement to repay your rent in instalments

And direct you towards independent advice agencies such as

Citizens Advice Bureau                        Community Legal Service Direct   

Money Advice Trust                             Charitable grants

Bank accounts                                     Devon credit unions

Cornwall credit unions                         Stop loan sharks

Energy saving trust                              Switch energy suppliers

Anode furniture recycling                    Furniture recycling network

 

But you need to move FAST! If you don’t tell us you’ve got a problem, or if you don’t keep to an agreement to pay off arrears, as we check rent accounts very regularly, we will quickly contact you to ask you to clear the debt as soon as possible.

If repayment agreements are not made or not kept to, we will be forced to take formal action against you through the Court, which could ultimately end up with you losing your home.

CONTACT THE INCOME SERVICES TEAM on 0300 100 1012, or use our online form .