Tenants Newsletter | Autumn 2017
Another successful year for Ayrshire Housing We were delighted that Provost Helen Moonie was our guest of honour at this year’s well attended AGM. Councillor Moonie commended us on the quality of our work and the contribution we make to the wider community. The meeting heard that the association remains in excellent financial shape with the capacity to invest in new housing and long-term improvements to our existing stock. Our Chair Rhonda Leith was delighted to report on the results of our recent independent survey of tenants’ views. These showed very high levels of satisfaction with the services offered. What is more, satisfaction levels have increased from the previous surveys’ already good results. Following the elections, the Board for the 2017-2018 session is made up of the following members: Tenant members: Georgina Dawson, Pauline Elliot, Kenny George, Frances Maguire and Suzi Williamson. Community members: Gemma Collins, Rhonda Leith, Simon Leslie, Bobby Pyper and Mike Tomlinson. They are joined by Councillor Ian Cavana and Councillor Chris Cullen.
Ayrshire Housing 119 Main Street, Ayr, KA8 8BX 01292 880120 info@ayrshirehousing.org.uk www.ayrshirehousing.org.uk Text: 07860020459
Universal Credit full service is introduced in October 2017 for Kilmarnock Jobcentre areas, November 2017 for North Ayrshire Jobcentres and in February 2018 for Ayr Jobcentre areas. Universal Credit will replace the following for new claimants:
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) Housing Benefit Working Tax Credit Child Tax Credit Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Income Support
Universal Credit does not replace: Attendance Allowance Bereavement Benefits Carers Allowance Child Benefit Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Contribution Based ESA Contribution Based JSA
Maternity Allowance Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Severe Disablement Allowance State Pension Pension Credit Statutory Maternity Pay, Adoption Pay and Paternity Pay Statutory Sick Pay
If you have no changes in circumstances you do not need to do anything and you will remain on the old benefits for some time yet. Some changes of circumstances WILL NOT trigger a claim for Universal Credit after the dates above. For example:If you move address in the same local authority - no new claims required to trigger a move to Universal Credit. If you become responsible for another child – not a trigger to claim Universal Credit. If you have a change in income from work and you receive tax credits – this is a reportable change to tax credits but will not trigger a switch to Universal Credit.
If your circumstances change and you need to make a new application for the replaced means tested benefits after the dates above, you will be directed to claim Universal Credit instead.
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Some changes of circumstances that WILL trigger a claim for Universal Credit:
If you move into a new local authority area and require to apply for help to pay your rent. If you become responsible for paying rent for the first time and have a low income and need to apply for help to pay your rent. If your income support is ending because your child is turning 5 years old. If you become unemployed and need to claim a means tested benefit for income or help with rent. If you become responsible for a child for the first time. If you fail your ESA assessment and become a Jobseeker – you may want to consider not claiming UC if you are appealing the decision.
Our money advice team can assist you to check if you should be claiming Universal Credit. Your Housing Officer will help you make arrangements to pay your rent to avoid the arrears that delays in Universal Credit can cause. If you require any help please contact us on 01292 880120 or email info@ayrshirehousing.org.uk
2017 COMPETITION WINNERS Congratulations to all of this year’s competition winners! In the pet category, joint winners were Archie the bearded collie who lives with Mr Christie of Girvan and Ruby, Harley, Mollie and Guiness, cocker spaniels who live with Ms McCulloch in Maybole. Commendations were awarded to; Morgan, a Toy Manchester terrier who lives with Ms O’Donnell in Tarbolton; Jack and Kitt, collies owned by Ms Gillespie of Barr; Snooky the cat who lives with Mr Paterson of Ayr; Willow the African indoor hedgehog who lives with Ms O’Donnell of Straiton and Diablo, American bulldog cross who lives with Ms Demarco of Coylton.
Garden Competition: Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Shine of Straiton who were awarded Best Overall Garden. Miss Grant of Ayr and Mr & Mrs Shine of Straiton were joint winners in the garden category. Runner up was Mrs Bletsoe of Dalrymple. Mr & Mrs Sullivan of Ayr took first prize in the window box category. Ms Currie of Ayr won the container category, with Ms Lawson of Prestwick named as runner up. In the shared garden category, residents of Good Shepherd Court came first with Mr McAllister of Ayr being named as runner up.
We can supply this document in a print size to suit. It is also available in Braille, audio and other formats, and in other languages. Our website also has several accessibility features. 3
Repairs by appointment Ayrshire Housing introduced repairs by appointment in 2012 to provide a more convenient service to tenants. The service covers non-emergency repairs for the main trades— joiner, plumber and electrician.
You can make an appointment to get most repairs done at a time that's convenient for you. You can request appointments for Monday to Friday with four appointment slots each day - from 'early morning' to 'late afternoon'. Early morning
8.00am
to
10.00am
Mid morning
10.00am
to
12.00pm
Early afternoon
12.00pm
to
2.00pm
Late afternoon
2.00pm
to
4.00pm
When you request a repair we will offer you an appointment for that job, and give you alternative times to choose from if necessary. If you have a particular requirement within a time period e.g. school run, then please inform us of this when you call.
What happens if I need to rearrange the appointment? If you know in advance that you will be unable to keep an arranged appointment, please contact our office to reschedule. What will happen if the appointment is missed by you?
If the contractor calls at your home for an arranged appointment and finds no one in, they will attempt to revisit providing the target date has not expired, otherwise the job will be cancelled. A card will be posted through your door informing you that someone has visited, but has been unable to gain access. If you still wish the repair to be carried out it is your responsibility to contact the office to rearrange the appointment. If you re-arrange an appointment and fail to provide access for the second appointment, you will be charged for the contractor’s time.
It is important that you supply us with an up-to-date contact number, if you have one.
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Emergencies We don't make appointments for emergency call-outs because the target for these is within four hours of you contacting us - we advise you to stay at home and wait for the contractor to call.
What about Gas Servicing? James Frew (GasSure) offer am or pm appointments for annual gas servicing. Appointments can be either in the morning between 8am and 12 noon or in the afternoon between 12 noon and 4.00pm, Monday to Friday.
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If you are worried about your energy bills, you may be spending more than your need to, Our Power offers a fairer way to buy energy, with one competitive price for all their customers whether you prefer to pay by Direct Debit or Pay As You Go.
e Se Our Power has recently launched a new low-cost 12 month fixed-term tariff. The new tariff
is available to everyone and is priced to be within the top ten lowest tariffs in Scotland. Customers can switch through the Our Power website at www.our-power.co.uk.
How the new tariff can benefit you:
One of the lowest cost energy tariffs in Scotland Same price whether you choose Pay As You Go or Direct Debit A fairer energy process – no lock-in fees Flexible ‘friendly credit’ for Pay As You Go customers, Our Power will keep your supply going during evenings and weekends until you are able to top-up Flexible ways to pay (online, by phone or over the counter) Excellent customer service with helpful advisors based in Scotland and free calls from landline or mobile.
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Communities Fun Day & Community Conference
We were pleased to attend both the above events. The Communities Fun Day, held at the Citadel on 9th September, was very well attended and Joan and Wendy were on hand to answer queries and tell people about our services. On 15th September, we were at the SAC Community conference in the County Buildings where a number of community-based services came together to share knowledge and network.
Do you want to improve your IT knowledge and get more out of your computer, tablet or smartphone? We are holding a series of flexible drop-in sessions in association with Aspire2Access in our offices at 119 Main Street starting 19th October. The sessions are designed to assist tenants Using a computer, tablet or smart phone Using the Internet and setting up email addresses Applying for Universal Credit online Completion of online application forms for employment or housing Accessing Social Media e.g. Facebook, Twitter Leaflets have been distributed to all our tenants in Ayr and districts north of the town. We will be holding sessions for our Girvan and Carrick tenants in the new year. WATCH THIS SPACE for more information.
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Last month we waved goodbye to Helen Ross one of our Housing Officers. Helen has left to pursue her career in Perth and we wish her all the very best. in the process of recruiting a new Housing We are Officer to join our team.
Congratulations to Carla Grainge, on the birth of her beautiful daughter Emily. Mum and baby are doing well and have already been in the office for a visit.
We welcomed Niamh, a pupil from a local secondary school to our offices on a work placement. Here’s what she had to say...
“I have recently done my work experience in the housing office and found it very interesting. I have learned more about the benefits system and how people get into it and how the housing list works. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here!”
At Ayrshire Housing, we support a number of local organisations and charities such as: the Foodbank and Care and Share. We would really like to also make donations to some other smaller, local organisations who may not receive as much funding as some of the larger charities. If you have any suggestions please contact us on 01292 880120 or send us an email to info@ayrshirehousing.org.uk no later than Friday 3rd November.
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Children's Competition Time! If you are aged 3 to 12 and would like to be in with a chance of winning a £10 gift voucher, all you have to do is colour in the picture below and return it to Ayrshire Housing at 119 Main Street, Ayr KA8 8BX along with your name, age and address. Closing date is Friday 17th November. Name: ……………………………………………………………………………………………… Age:……………………………… Address: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..