Inspire Magazine - Summer 2016

Important changes to benefits
Benefit Cap
We want to make sure our tenants are aware of the
Benefit Cap and what it means for you. Some people
may already be affected, but from autumn 2016 more
people are likely to be hit, most notably couples and
single parents.
The cap on benefits, the maximum amount a family can
receive (lone parent or couple with children), will be reduced
from £500 to £384 per week. The Benefit Cap only applies
to working-age claimants.
If you have three or more children you will be affected. As
a result of this change many people will have their Housing
Benefit cut so if you think you will be affected please call
our One Money team who will be able to advise you on
your options.
Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced
with Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
If you currently receive DLA you will receive a letter from
Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) inviting you to claim
PIP. It’s important that you don’t ignore this letter.
Even if your DLA was a “lifetime” or “indefinite” award you
MUST still apply for PIP. The only people that won’t be
affected are children under 16 and existing DLA claimants
born on or before 7 April 1948.
If you have any questions or would like help to complete
the Personal Independence Payment form please contact
the One Money Mentors. The team are specially trained
to answer questions about benefits and money. For
confidential advice and information call the team today
0330 355 1002.
Adrian’s
story
Four and a half years ago, One
Manchester customer Adrian,
from Fallowfield, had given up. He
was grieving, struggling with his
mental health and his benefits had
stopped. As the mountain of unpaid
bills grew, he didn’t know where to
turn. Then he met Wayne, from our
One Money team.
“I was going through a manic episode,
my Nana had just passed away and I had
just given up. None of my bills — utilities,
mobile or anything — had been paid and
my Income Support and Disability Living
Allowance had been stopped but I was
too upset to deal with anything, so my
debts were getting worse and worse.
When One Manchester phoned to tell
me that my Housing Benefit had been
stopped they suggested I meet the One
Money team and I’m so glad I did.
“I was apprehensive at first taking my bag
full of unopened bills and letters to meet
with Wayne because I didn’t know what
to expect, but after the first appointment
I left feeling like a weight had been lifted.
We made a plan of what I needed to
do first like setting up direct debits and
contacting catalogues and utilities to set
up payment plans. Once we’d started
the ball rolling, the letters stopped piling
up and the phone calls stopped. It was
just such a massive relief because when
you’re in debt it’s constantly on your mind
and you end up just shoving letters away
but you can only bury your head in the
sand for so long.
“Knowledge is power and now I’ve gone
through all this and come out on the
other side, I would feel able to pick up the
phone to a utility company or go along
to one of the One Money Mentors
drop-ins if I was worrying about
something because I know now there’s
nothing to feel ashamed of. Wayne has
been a godsend and I’d tell anyone
feeling worried about money to pick up
the phone or go along to one of the
One Money Mentors drop-ins.”
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