Benefit Health Check

Teesdale Housing Association has teamed up with Dawn Advice to provide a benefit health check to all residents living in our properties.

Last year £2 billion of benefits went unclaimed and we want to ensure all of our tenants receive the benefits that they are entitled to.

Dawn Advice are a not for profit voluntary organisation who offer an impartial advice service on money and benefits. Their services are free to Teesdale tenants and is completely confidential.

A dedicated freephone number 0300 3031931* has been set up and we are inviting you to call and receive your free benefit health check.

The telephone lines are open 8.00am – 8.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00 to 4.00pm on a Saturday.

When you call, please have the following information to hand if possible:

• Members of your household including age and disabilities
• Amount of wages (after tax) and how many hours you work
• Any savings
• Details of any benefits you receive
• How much rent you are charged

Their services will be free to all residents living in one of our properties so what ever your circumstances, even if you don’t currently claim benefits call them on 0300 3031931*

* Calls from mobile phones may be charged. Please let the advisor know if you are calling from a mobile and they will telephone you back with your benefit health check and advice.

Durham County Credit Union

We are delighted to have joined in partnership with Durham County Credit Union.  For you, that means you have the opportunity to save and secure low cost loans.  It only cost £1 to join the Credit Union and how much you save is up to you.  They don’t charge high interest rates and have no penalties for paying the loan off early.  It is an ideal way of saving money and borrowing against that when you most need it, such as Christmas.  You will get a payment card, similar to the one you use to pay your rent so you can use it in anywhere you see the paypoint logo. Alternatively you can pay at one of the weekly sessions at:

• Barnard Castle Methodist Church, Galgate – Wednesday 10.30am to 11.30am
• Cornerstone Christian Centre, Swan Street, Evenwood – Thursday 10am to 12 noon

For more information on Durham County Credit Union go to http://www.durhamcountycu.co.uk/ or phone 0191 375 7677.  Alternatively you can ring our office on 01833 694400 and we will be happy to sent you out an application form.

Northern Money

Northern Money can help you find details of your local credit union, using a simple postcode search. Credit unions offer great savings products and low-cost loans to members.

For more details, visit: www.northernmoney.org.uk/home

Anti Poverty Strategy

Anti Poverty Strategy