here

Summer 2015 - issue 14
Two convenient ways
to cut the cost of
expensive phone
calls...
Some important
information to help
you through the
tough times.
Welcome to the summer
edition of Money Matters.
Struggling with no credit on your mobile
and need to make an urgent call?
Exciting News!
Two NEW West Cheshire Credit Union
Membership Centre’s opened earlier this year!
In the Income Team our current focus is on
developing our understanding of Universal
Credit and working closely with those customers
claiming this new benefit. The Government
have announced further changes to the benefit
system and we will bring you more details in
our next edition. In the meantime, if you have
any concerns about how you may be affected
then please get in touch with the team via
0300 303 9848.
Dialing a number which starts 0870, 0845, 0871 and 0844 can be
expensive (from mobiles and landline phones) and means you can
run out of credit whilst trying to make essential calls. It can cost up
to 41p per minute, far more than a call to a normal 01, 02 or 03
number, but you can avoid this by using the website
www.saynoto0870.com
Search for an alternative 01 number or a 0800 number on www.
saynoto0870.com. It’s easy to use and takes just a few clicks.
Have you used the new
telephone payment service?
nt a priority
Making re
Calling 0800 numbers from a mobile?
It’s now free!
It’s convenient to use and available
24 hours a day 7 days a week.
From 1st July, due to a change in legislation, you should
no longer be charged for calling 0800 numbers from
mobiles. Previously your mobile provider was
probably charging you so make sure this is now
correct on your bills.
Useful detailed information can be found on:
www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/0870-say-no
www.0800buster.co.uk/
www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/cut-cost-0800-mobiles
£
To pay you will need your
debit or credit card and the
10 digit reference number
specific to your tenancy.
This can be found in the
bottom right hand corner
of your rent card or on the
top of you latest rent
statement.
We are currently working with West Cheshire
Credit Union to encourage customers to save and
prepare for the changes to the benefits system.
Universal Credit is already live in our area, so start
saving today!
Membership Centres are fully equipped to sign new members
up, and provide information about secure savings, affordable
loans and white goods scheme. Dedicated volunteers are
more than happy to guide you through the sign up process.
Taking savings, completing forms and assisting members
with loan applications are all part of the service. Everyone is
welcome!
Lynn Reilly Copper is one of our volunteers, who operates the
Greenbank Membership Centre. Lynn said “I am extremely
passionate about promoting the products provided from West
Cheshire Credit Union. I just want people to be aware of the
money they can save by using West Cheshire Credit Union,
rather than a weekly payment store”.
Greenbank Membership Centre is located at the Community
Hub, 22 Greenbank Lane, Greenbank, CW8 IJQ and is open
every Wednesday from 12pm-2pm.
Wharton Library Membership Centre is located inside the
community area of the library, Willow Square, Winsford,
CW7 3HP and is open every Tuesday between 10am-12pm.
Please drop in to see how we can help you save money.
For more information please contact Amiee on 07814436521
or alternatively contact Head Office on 01244 399006.
The number to call is
0300 303 0309.
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@weavervale
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Inside... Reducing your heating bills… Help with your debts… Information about Universal Credit...
Summer 2015 - Issue 13
Is your Income
Support claim
due to end?
HAVE you switched yet?
Are you
Ready?
We want to help you to save money on your
heating bills!
We’re working with Community Switch to help you switch
to a cheaper energy tariff and save money.
We’ve has been working in partnership with Community
Switch for 6 months and already 448 customers have
switched, saving a whopping £31,333 between them!
If you have not switched already contact them now on
0300 3030 025 or visit them online at www.communityswitch.co.uk and see how much you can save!
If your youngest child is due to turn
five, your Income Support (IS) claim will
end (unless you are in receipt of Carers
Allowance).
This can be a worrying time for claimants and will mean
that you need to make a claim for Universal Credit (UC).
This is a new benefit and many customers are finding
the process daunting. If your IS claim is due to end we
strongly advise that you discuss your options with your
Lone Parent Advisor at the Job Centre and they will be
able to prepare you for this change. It is important that
you make your claim for UC as soon as possible so
that there is no gap in your benefit payments. It is also
important to make sure you make a claim for Council
Tax Reduction with Cheshire West and Chester Council
as this benefit is not paid by Universal Credit. A claim
form can be requested by calling 0300 123 7021 or
online at www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
If you would like further support with this or any other
changes to your benefits then please speak to the
Money Matters Team on 01606 813 341.
Struggling with debts?
Free help here!
“This is a new benefit and
many customers are finding
the process daunting...”
PayPlan help you resolve your debt problems
by providing a wide range of practical,
long-term debt management solutions that
enables you to repay your debt and plan for
a better future. They fully understand the
unsettling impact that debt can have on your
life, but firmly believe that everyone can,
and should, be allowed to live a happy life
whilst responsibly repaying their debt. Over
the last 22 years, Payplan have built strong
relationships with creditors and national
organisations, helping people cut down their
living costs, take charge of their finances and
focus on living again.
You can call their advisers on 0800 716 239
Monday-Friday 8am-9pm and Saturday 9am-3pm.
www.payplan.com
Paying your rent over the phone
Please be aware that when you call to pay
your rent with a credit or debit card you
must have the card holder’s permission. If you do not have their permission you are
committing a criminal offence. When you
call and pay with someone else’s card we
will ask to speak to the card holder.
If you need to use someone else’s card on
a regular basis please get their permission
in writing and send it to us so that we are
aware for your future payments. Remember
you can use our 24 Hour Payment Line to
pay by debit or credit card by calling
0300 303 0309. If you have any queries
regarding your rent account please contact
the Income Management Team on
0300 303 9848.