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Bracknell
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Best move of June’s life
A terrible accident led to a move for one customer,
who says it’s been the BEST MOVE OF HER LIFE and
would recommend it to anyone thinking about their
future...
At the end of last year, a fire broke out in June Boyle’s
bungalow, caused by a TV electrical fault, and Bracknell
Forest Homes provided temporary accommodation in
retirement living scheme Liscombe House.
June realised she wanted to stay in a retirement living
scheme, saying her comfort and confidence have
gone up 10-fold.
“It’s marvellous here. It’s safe and secure, which is very
important as you get a bit older. The schemes are well
maintained, in good locations and have absolutely
everything you need” she added.
Continued on page 11
Naturally, June was upset by the fire and damage and
was wondering how long her bungalow may take
to be repaired. During her stay at Liscombe House,
Inside this issue
Save time and money by getting online
Read more on pages 6,7 and 8
Issue 33 Spring 2016
Contents...
Recycling mythbusters
Getting online special feature
p5
p6/7/8
Kids have fun - The Wayz
Your Gardens entries
Money matters
p9
p10
p12/13
Dog microchipping p13
Wordsearch and recipe
p14
Bracknell Forest Homes
Housing Officers 01344 382800
Freephone 0800 692 3000
Text:
81025 and start your message with BFH
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
www.bracknellforesthomes.org.uk
Post:
Bracknell Forest Homes
Berkshire Court
Western Road
Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1RE
Berkshire Court opening hours:
Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm
Bracknell Forest Council:
for enquiries about housing benefit,
street lighting, gritting, street care,
social services: 01344 352000
Welcome to the
spring edition
of Spotlight
In this edition we have some
fabulous stories and pictures of
how residents have transformed
their areas and gardens, and we
hope you will be inspired for this
year’s Your Gardens gala.
There’s some great tips for you
about getting online and making
the most of the internet, as well
as important information about
changes to benefits which might
affect you or family or friends.
You can find out about our
employment programme, activities
for young people, and read
about the heartwarming story of
a customer whose life was turned
upside down and is once again
happy.
Keep the stories coming – we love to
hear community news and events
and share information.
The News Group
Bracknell
Forest
Homes,
Western
Road,
Bracknell,
Berkshire RG12 1RE or email
[email protected]
Get ahead with
your rent payments
and you could win ££s
Setting up a regular Direct Debit to pay your rent could
earn you a prize of £50 worth of shopping vouchers, as
well as meaning you don’t need to remember to make the
payment each week or month.
If you would like this
newsletter in large print,
braille, on audio tape or
CD, please contact
0800 692 3000.
Português Espanol
Follow us on
Page
2
Polski
We have a prize draw every three months for all our customers who
pay by Direct Debit and are not in arrears. And the last winner, Mrs
Pratt, said:
“It’s so much easier.
There’s nothing more important than having a roof over
your head and paying your rent by Direct Debit means we
know when and how much will be paid. We use Direct
Debit for most things as once everything is paid out on
the same date each month you know
what’s left is yours.”
To set up a Direct Debit for your rent and be in with a chance to win
prizes, please get a form from our website or call 01344 382800.
Jolanta Wilson, Income Team Manager
Freephone 0800 692 3000
Caroline’s message
Some things change and some things do not. During the last thirty
years we have seen the tremendous impact of computers. I recently
re-discovered a lecture I’d given to housing students about computers
over twenty years ago. It is astounding what we can do now with our
computers and smart phones.
At Bracknell Forest Homes, we
are investing in technology and
improving our online services for
you. During 2015, our website was
updated and you can tell us about
repairs that need doing, check
your rent account, pay rent, report
anti-social behaviour, read useful
information, and chat to us about
your enquiries. Soon you will be able
to check repairs appointments and
update your contact details as well
– watch this space for further news.
Even as some things change, some
things should not change. We are
committed to providing a helpful
and friendly service and to listening
to customers’ views. We offer
training to customer volunteers so
you can scrutinise our services and
ensure we remain up to the mark.
It has contributed to our customer
satisfaction being at the high figure
of 90%. If you would like to be involved
in this work, to give something
back to your community, to
meet new people, or to add
to your CV, please contact our
customer involvement team on
01344 382913. Customers who
do get involved in this work have
found it to be worthwhile and
enjoyable.
Caroline Titley, Chief Executive
Wondering who to call?
Cut out and keep this handy list for useful contacts
!
Families can communicate across
the continents using skype and
we can have almost any question
answered by searching on the
internet. It is never too late to learn
about some of the things that
computers can make possible. If you
would like to know more about how
to use technology, we do run courses
from time to time, so please ask us
what might be available and read
our feature on page six.
Contact Bracknell Forest Homes for
enquiries about:
Contact your local council for enquiries or
issues about:
•Adaptations
•Anti-social behaviour
•Garage lettings
•Housing rent and arrears
•Housing repairs and improvements
•Landscaping on housing estates
•Leaseholders’ enquiries
•Leasehold services and service charges
•Lettings and empty properties
•Neighbourhood Estate Action Team
•Sheltered housing for retirement living
•Tenancy matters
•Benefits advice for tenants and leaseholders
• Bins / refuse collection / refuse tip / waste recycling
•Blue badges
•Council tax
•Council tax and Housing Benefit
•Local loyalty cards
•Education services and schools
•Environmental health and trading standards
•Highways - footpaths and roads
•Housing advice - housing register and applications
•Pest control
•Planning
•Road gritting and maintenance
•Social services for adults and children
•Street lighting
Bracknell Forest Homes
www.bracknellforesthomes.org.uk
[email protected]
Freephone 0800 692 3000
or 01344 382800
Bracknell Forest Council
www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk
customer.services@ bracknell-forest.gov.uk
01344 352000
Address: Berkshire Court, Western Road,
Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 1RE
Hart District Council
www.hart.gov.uk
[email protected]
01252 622122
Hours: 8.30am to 5pm.
Closed weekends/Bank Holidays.
South Oxfordshire
www.southoxon.gov.uk
[email protected]
01491 823000
Rebecca Spiller, Customer Experience Manager
!
www.bracknellforesthomes.org.uk
Page
3
News from the Tenants and
Leaseholders Panel
In November we were very happy to elect James Beasley as Chairman of the Panel.
Many of you will know him as a Panel representative for Great Hollands, Home Farm
and Jennett’s Park, as well as his other voluntary activities with customer involvement.
The Panel has a sub-group which
carries out scrutiny work with
Bracknell Forest Homes – this is work
on specific services to see how they
are done and whether any changes
can be suggested to improve the
service for customers and staff. The
scrutiny group of customers look at
existing services and those of other
similar organisations.
In 2015, a landscaping scrutiny
report was carried out and here’s a
summary of the recommendations
we made for the landscaping
service, which Bracknell Forest
Homes are taking forward:
Trees
• Customers will be issued with satisfaction cards when trees are
inspected, which will include what
action will be carried out
• The tree maintenance policy has
been put into a more customer friendly format, which is now
available as frequently asked
questions in the landscaping section on the website
• If you would like any information
on planting trees, our tree officers can help with advice about
species and maintenance.
Grass cutting
• A first cut will be done in March
rather than April 2016, ground
conditions permitting
• A new calendar style schedule
will be added to the website so
you know when to expect cuts.
New landscaping
satisfaction surveys
to be carried out
• Bracknell Forest Homes wants to
know how satisfied customers are
with the landscaping service, so
new telephone surveys
will be carried out
by customer
representatives.
PANEL
Garden assistance
scheme
• Where customers request it, you’ll
be notified of the week the grass
will be cut so the garden can be
accessible on the right day and
this improves communication
• The garden assistance application
form will be updated to include
large shrub or hedge maintenance
as well as grass cutting.
As ever, if you wish for more
information, please go to the website
at www.bracknellforesthomes.org.uk
or call Steph Verstraeten on
01344 382913. She can help with
transport to the meetings. You will
be very welcome. The next meeting
is Wednesday 20 April at 7pm at
Easthampstead Baptist Church,
South Hill Road.
On behalf of the Panel, may I wish
you a summer with plenty of sunshine.
Margaret Firth, Vice Chair,
Tenants and Leaseholders Panel
A brief insight into the Assets Forum
You may have heard the term Assets Forum but not really be aware of what it means, so I would like to
give you an insight to how it works. It’s held at Easthampstead Baptist Church every quarter at 7pm. It
consists of customers (this is where you come in) plus staff from Bracknell Forest Homes.
The Assets Forum, incorporating property investment,
repairs and landscaping, is a lively and friendly group
and is open to all – we discuss issues including up
and coming ideas – projects like how we are moving
forward with the new bathrooms and kitchens, and
also the next three to five years of planning and the
upgrading of heating and roofing.
Should you wish to join us, you will receive a very warm
welcome. So come on, get involved and have your say.
The next meeting is on Tuesday 26 April
at 7pm.
For
more
information
please
contact
Steph
Verstraeten,
We value all of the input you bring. You can talk to a Customer Involvement Manager, on
member of staff before or after the Assets Forum if you 01344 382913 or Tina Willis, Customer
have anything of a personal nature you would like to Involvement Officer, on 01344 382919.
discuss. We also provide transport where needed.
Shirley Killoran,
Chair of the Assets Forum
Page
4
Freephone 0800 692 3000
Christmas
clear up
During the two week Christmas period,
our Neighbourhood Estate Action Team
(NEAT) started work at 5.30am.
NEAT removed the equivalent of five rhinos – five and
a half tonnes of excess waste dumped on our estates.
Free recycling of household waste is available at
Longshot Lane, Bracknell. Opening hours: every day
except Christmas day; 1 April to 30 September, 8am
to 8pm; 1 October to 31 March, 8am to 6pm.
Separate out recycling FACT from recycling
FICTION with top five mythbusters from the council
FICTION: All our recycling goes to landfill.
FACT: It costs the council more money to bury waste than to recycle it, especially as councils are faced
with an increasing landfill tax, so it would not make economic sense to do that.
FICTION: There is no point recycling, it doesn’t make a difference.
FACT: Yes it does. As well as saving money, recycling stops tonnes of rubbish being buried in landfill. In the
UK, recycling saves about 10 to 15 million tonnes of carbon emissions a year, which is the equivalent of
taking 3.5 million cars off the road.
FICTION: It causes huge amounts of pollution trucking all the recyclable materials around the country.
FACT: Our recycling goes down the road to Reading to be processed. It is true there are relatively few
reprocessors for recyclable materials at present and mileage costs and associated pollution have to be
taken into account. However, as more uses and markets are developed and more local reprocessing
takes place, the market price for recycled materials will rise.
FICTION: It’s OK to send food waste to landfill because food breaks down naturally.
FACT: Every year in the UK we throw away seven million tonnes of food - the equivalent of 260kg per
household per year. An area the size of Wales would be needed to produce all the food and drink
currently wasted. If this amount was sent to landfill, it will produce the harmful greenhouse gas methane.
Food waste makes up 36.3% of the green bins in Bracknell Forest residents bins and almost half of which
could be composted at home.
FICTION: Recycling metal uses more energy than extracting the raw material in the first place.
FACT: Recycling aluminium cans saves up to 95% of the energy needed to
make new cans from fresh raw material. The energy saved in not having to
make just one aluminium can from scratch is enough to power a TV for three
hours. Every tonne of new aluminium made creates four tonnes of waste,
whereas a tonne of recycled aluminium creates no waste.
www.bracknellforesthomes.org.uk
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Save time and money by
Getting online or going
digital is a growing trend
with lots of opportunities
for everyone.
Keep in touch with friends and family
The internet can make the world a small place. Getting online can help you
keep in touch with friends or family who aren’t local so you can share news
and photos and keep in touch.
Use email and social media like Facebook, Twitter or Skype to keep in
touch.
Here we’ve highlighted some
of the main reasons you might
like to go online, where you can
get online and where to boost
your skills.
Where to go online: on the move or on a computer
Our website adjusts to your smart phone or tablet screen so it’s easy
to use when you’re on the move.
Why go online
There’s so much you can do online which
might save you time or money. Here’s a
short list of some of the benefits:
•
Cheaper services: access online only
insurance policies and energy tariffs, which
give better prices. Use sites like compare
the market or money supermarket
• Wider choice of products: compare
products and get the best to suit you
• Online payments: paying bills online (or
by direct debit) can save money, and it’s
often quicker and easier
• Universal Credit: all future benefit
applications need to be made and managed online. This is gradually
applying to more and more services,
for example government and DVLA
services
•
Job applications: many jobs are
advertised and have applications
online, so get on the internet to
open up more options
• Get maps and directions or
public transport times and routes
• Book cinema tickets, dinner tables, travel tickets.
Page
6
Most modern mobile phones can access the internet and you can
browse websites. Using the internet on a phone uses data and
your mobile provider will charge for this. If you have data included
in your monthly tariff, be aware of going over the allotted data
as charges for more use can be high. Use a wifi (wireless internet
connection) where you can, as these are often quicker and you
won’t be using up your mobile data. Many shops, restaurants
and public transport have wifi.
If you don’t have a computer or mobile, you can go to libraries,
internet cafes and other internet points. Some are listed below:
• All public libraries
• Bracknell Forest Homes’ office, Berkshire Court, Western
Road, Bracknell, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 1RE
• Open Learning Centre on Fridays.
Use our website at
www.bracknellforesthomes.org.uk
and see what you can do
On our website you can access lots of helpful information about
your home, tenancy and the area. You can read our leaflets, news
and event details, and report things at your convenience without
the need to ring or visit us. You can tell us about repairs that need
doing, report anti-social behaviour and get diary sheets to record
evidence, check the schedule for grass cutting, pay your rent or
service charge, and more.
We also have a secure area where you can log in to check your
rent account balance, and you will soon be able to check repairs
appointments and your tenancy details to update your contact
information if anything changes. It’s easy to register for the secure portal
– go to our website at www.bracknellforesthomes.org.uk/view-my-rentaccount and fill in the short form. Then we will send you (by post for security)
your username and password to start off.
Chat live now
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Follow us on Facebook
Find us on Twitter
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getting online
Boost your skills
If you’ve never used the internet before or would like to brush up on your skills to get the most out of it,
there’s a range of great courses in the area for different levels of experience.
Here’s some that are available at the Bracknell Open Learning Centre, Rectory Lane, Bracknell, RG12 7GR
(prices vary):
• First time on a computer: 13, 20 April, 9.30 to 1.30pm
• iPad introduction: 21 April 10am to 1pm
• Android tablet introduction: 23 May, 6.30pm to 9.30pm
• Skype (for video calls): 27 April, 10am to 12.30pm
Other courses are available.
Please contact the Open Learning Centre on 01344 354220.
One-to-one help
Did you know we offer one-to-one support to help you
get to grips with the technology that surrounds us? Our
helpful and friendly tutors can visit you in your home
and provide training so you can learn how to use your
laptop or tablet (such as an ipad). We can lend you
a laptop while you are having the training so you can
practise in between sessions. We offer up to six hours
training and if you prefer not to have the session in your
home you are welcome to attend our offices. Many
customers have already taken up this free training
and are very pleased with what they have learnt.
“This is my
first experience of a computer
course. Nick was very informative,
helpful and knowledgeable. He was
patient, nothing was too much for him.
Danielle is very welcoming and friendly.
I feel I have really learnt from today.
This is an amazing course/service
Bracknell Forest Homes offer. I would
love to do another course if
available.”
Shirley Killoran has had the one to one help and
“The trainer is very good and comes
back to you with answers to your questions.
It’s really tailored to what you want to learn
and the device and software you want to
use, and it has been very rewarding.”
said:
To book your session, please contact Danielle
Lane on 01344 382833 or email community.
[email protected]
www.bracknellforesthomes.org.uk
Page
7
Take the fear out of computers and
online with our glossary
• Comparison websites – websites that let
you compare products and prices quickly
• Social media
– websites like facebook
and twitter, used for
keeping up-to-date with
friends and family, for
sharing news, photos and
private messages
•Email
– electronic mail to
send private messages to friends, family and businesses
•Search engines – websites such as example
google and yahoo
where you search for any
information
• Data
– is the information you are
either sending or receiving
when you’re on the
internet. We use our data
to browse the web, watch
a video, or check our emails
• Wifi
– is another frequency
of radio we can use to
wirelessly connect devices
to each other. To use it
for internet access, your
smartphone or tablet
connects (over wifi) to
a router which may be
installed at home or at
public venues.
•Apps
– applications or ‘apps’
are shortcuts to websites
which you can put on
your mobile or tablet
•‘Clouds’
– this is virtual storage
of information. Instead of
information such as photos
being saved to physical
hardware like your phone, tablet or computer,the information is uploaded electronically to what is known as a cloud.
Help disrupt fraudsters by
reporting scam emails that
you receive to
www.actionfraud.police.uk
Things to
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Freephone 0800 692 3000
Page 7
Page
8
Kids have fun at the
Saturday project
Enjoy these activities and meet new people
Volunteering
Paintballing
Cooking
Chill out
Make new friends
Arts/crafts
Table tennis
Sports
Xbox One
and Wii laptops
The Wayz is a safe place for
young people to attend and
enjoy some great activities and
projects. It provides an arena to
support young people to gain the
confidence and understanding
when dealing with current issues
and challenges in their lives.
Bracknell Forest Homes funds
the Wayz and it’s £1 a week for
customers to join the Saturday
project.
Saturdays
Join in
The Wayz Youth Centre, Calfridus Way,
Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 9ET
Telephone: 01344 483596 / 07928 816 186
Email: [email protected]
Pathfinder -
helping you get into work
Pathfinder sessions
3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12 May, 9.30am to 1pm
Ongoing support sessions
17, 19, 24 and 26 May, times to be confirmed
12.15pm to 1.30pm
for 11 to 17 year olds
1.30pm to 3pm
for eight to
11 year olds
CV clinic
25 to 29 A
pri
9.30am to l
11.30am
/
12.30pm
to 2.30pm
Build or u
pdate yo
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CV read
y to app
ly
for jobs. B
ooking
required.
Optional
to
continue
onto
Pathfinde
r course.
Learn
how to
To find out more,
apply
book a CV clinic appointment
or register for Pathfinder
for
B
please call
jobs Effective
01344 382819
job
Build
Interview
searching confidence
skills
where to
in
job
look
hunting
In partnership with the Skills Trust
JO
www.bracknellforesthomes.org.uk
Page
9
What you can do with a little bit of
imagination and an outdoor space
Last year many residents added green to the areas they live,
which created brighter and more attractive areas. We’re proud
of our customers who used their imaginations to add a bit of
colour to the landscape and entered many into the Your Gardens
competition to showcase what had been achieved.
Here, a patch of land by the side of the road was
transformed into an oasis of colour, scent and a haven
for bees and other pollinators - beautiful and beneficial
for our wildlife. The triangle of
land was originally planted by
Bracknell Corporation and was
full of shrubs, which produced a
white dust and caused irritation
- it was unsightly and it attracted
rubbish. Mr and Mrs Odell from
Melrose revamped this area a
couple of years ago, planting
a colourful flower bed, which
is changed twice a year, and
passing neighbours and residents
are always complimentary and
appreciative.
These two examples in
Forest Park and Great
Hollands include a blockpaved area in front of one
house, and a path outside
a flat. They are covered in
containers of all sizes and
quirky shapes, showing you
don’t need a traditional
garden or need to dig.
Gardening brought neighbours together at Fountains Garth as they enhanced
the communal area outside their homes. This created a place for families to
spend time together and neighbours to socialise and enjoy the outdoors and
a bit of exercise. Jenny McGriffin from Fountains Garth started to enhance
a bland communal border last year and now many of her neighbours are
involved with planting and caring for the area. She said: “It’s lovely to look out
onto it for everyone. It has also encouraged everyone to look after their front
garden and it has re-established community spirit. It’s somewhere safe for the
children to play with their paddling pools and have community BBQs.”
There’s no need to be alone in your gardening efforts. This can be a team
effort for all to enjoy and do what they can. So go on, have a go and give
Bracknell Forest Homes a ring if you have an idea but want to discuss it further.
We can offer advice and workshops to help you.
Join now by calling 01344 382933 or online at
www.bracknellforesthomes.org.uk/your-gardens
Here at Boyd Court, a tiny space
no bigger than a paving slab
which used to be overshadowed
by wheelie bins, became the
smallest entry for the front gardens.
It was also part of the communal
area so could be enjoyed by all.
Secret
gardener
Hello all you new and
keen gardeners I hope you are planning a splash
of colour for the summer.
Why don’t you think about
growing
some
vegetables
amongst your flowers, like runner
beans with the sweetpeas. If
you like marigolds they keep the
green flies away from the runners
and garlic is a good companion
for your roses. When planting
your sweetpea plants, put some
seeds in with them to keep the
flowers going longer, and split
some of the larger perennials
and share with neighbours and
friends.
Wendy Smith, Landscape Liaison Officer
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10
Freephone 0800 692 3000
Resident John Stevens wanted to know more about
our landscaping service, so he met Wendy Smith,
Landscape Liaison Officer to find out more...
John – What is the landscape team’s main
function?
Wendy – The team have three main areas; firstly to
maintain the communal areas around our properties;
secondly to maintain the grounds around our
10 sheltered schemes and to deliver our garden
assistance scheme which involves cutting the grass
and hedges for 500 of our customers who are elderly
or vulnerable.
What works are carried out at the sheltered
schemes?
The team cut the grass approximately every 14 days
during the cutting season and weather permitting.
We also give an extra day for projects requested by
scheme residents. During the snowy and icy weather
the team grit the areas.
Is your department involved in conservation?
The team are involved in estate improvement
projects. For example, one we are planning to do
this year involves conservation. We will be removing
the grass behind some garages in Wordsworth and
planting wild flower ‘plugs’, which we hope will turn
into an area for hedgehogs, honey bees and other
wildlife. We will be involving the local school in this
project as well.
Does the team have any involvement with Jealott’s
Hill Community Landshare?
Yes. Bracknell Forest Homes, along with the British
Horticultural Society, run the Your Gardens part of
Bracknell in Bloom. This involves running ‘planting
hanging baskets’ workshops and Jealott’s Hill kindly
watered all the baskets that were made until they
were established enough to go out on the estates.
How did we do in Bracknell in Bloom last year?
We won Gold which is phenomenal. We want
everyone in the community to be involved and the
categories in Your Garden are being expanded this
year to encourage more participants.
What does the future hold for the Landscape
team?
Bracknell Forest Homes is committed to keeping an
in-house landscape team. Its work will evolve, mainly
due to climate change, for example we will need
to adapt our grass cutting regimes to fit in with the
different weather conditions we are experiencing now.
We are committed to our residents and if they want to
approach us with suggestion, like pieces of
land they would like to take over, we are
very happy to talk to them.
“On behalf of our residents, may I wish the Landscape
team all the best for the coming year.”
John Stevens
Best move of June’s life
“I hadn’t considered my future but knew I might
downsize to something more manageable. Bracknell
Forest Homes’ retirement living schemes are perfect
and I wish I had considered it sooner. There’s everything
you need: the privacy of your own flat; and the
community and social activities that run to give you
company if you want it.
continued from front page
If you’d like to know more about our retirement
living schemes for you or a family member, please
call 01344 382909 or visit
www.bracknellforesthomes.org.uk/retirement-living
“There was brilliant help to move, with things like
organising removals, redirecting post and setting up
utilities, so it was very smooth. And there was a welcome
bonus with the Transfer Incentive Scheme which gave
me some extra money to buy some nice new things
and decorate my new flat exactly as I wanted it. It’s
now lovely and cosy. I love it.”
We’re thrilled June’s story has turned out so well after
the trauma of the fire. We have other retirement living
schemes available, which offer:
•Safety and security with on-site staff support and 24 hour emergency
pull chords
•Private self-contained flats and communal areas for social activities
•Modern facilities in good locations
•Incentive scheme and practical help for your move (eligibility applies).
www.bracknellforesthomes.org.uk
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11
MONEY MATTERS MONEY MATTERS MONEY MATTERS
How to make a Universal Credit claim
and what you will need
All Universal Credit claims* need to be made on •Your landlord’s address which is, Bracknell Forest
a computer but before you sit down to make your Homes, Berkshire Court, Western Road, Bracknell,
Universal Credit claim, our Money Advisors have Berkshire, RG12 1RE
this checklist of what you’ll need to hand:
•How much rent you pay (proof may be required,
such as an up-to-date rent statement).
•National Insurance number
Please call us on 01344 382800 to request this •Email address
information
•Contact phone number
•Your bank details
•Your address
•Details of any savings you have
•Full details of your salary or any other income
(including other benefits).
*Universal Credit only affects people of working age.
The next step...your appointment
with a work coach
Once you’ve completed a claim online you’ll have an
appointment with the Jobcentre Plus. You will have an
interview with your ‘Work Coach’, the person assigned
by Jobcentre Plus to look after you while claiming
Universal Credit. At this interview you’ll need to sign a
claimant commitment. This official document outlines
what you are expected to do to find a job if you’re
unemployed. If you’re working but on a low income,
you may be encouraged to find a better paid job or
work more hours. If you don’t keep to your claimant
commitment your Universal Credit may be stopped.
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12
Advance payments
Advance Payments could help if you can prove you will
be in hardship while waiting for your first Universal Credit
payment. You should ask for this as early as possible,
preferably at your first Universal Credit interview,
otherwise you can request this by giving Universal
Credit a call. To help get an advance payment, you
should prepare a budget plan to show what your
outgoings will be and how not having an income will
threaten you and your family’s health, like not being
able to eat or heat your home. It is an advance and is
classed as a loan, and is usually repayable over three
months.
Housing costs – your rent
It is important to select the right box whilst completing your online claim to
make sure Universal Credit are aware you have housing costs to be paid.
If this is not selected on your online application there may be delays in
paying your rent to you.
You might get a review form to fill in
If you receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit you may receive a
review form from the council. This is to ensure you are receiving the correct
benefit you are entitled to. If you receive a review form it is important to get
this form back to the council as soon as possible. Not responding will mean
your benefit claim will be cancelled. We can help you complete the form please call us on 01344 382800 and ask to speak to a Money Advisor.
Reduced Council Tax Benefit 2016/17
If you receive Council Tax Benefit in Bracknell Forest, from April 2016 the
maximum amount the council will award is 80% of your bill, leaving the
remaining 20% to be paid. The current amount left to be paid is 8.5% so this
is a large increase to find the extra money on top of the other benefit cuts.
On an average Council Tax Bill of £1,200 per year, 8.5% of this is £102 for the
year, £8.50 each month, but the new 20% level
will be £240 per year, £20 each month.
On top of the this, the overall Council Tax has
increased from April 2016. The council has not
increased Council Tax for the past few years.
For Council Tax queries, please call the local
council.
Freephone 0800 692 3000
MONEY MATTERS MONEY MATTERS MONEY MATTERS
Other changes to benefits
Benefit cap reduction
The new lower benefit cap limit
is expected to be rolled out in
autumn this year, but the exact
date is still unknown.
This means that for couples and
lone parent households the
maximum amount of benefits
you can claim is £20,000 per
year, £384.62 per week. For
single households the amount
is £13,400 per year, £257.69
per week.
Benefits included in the cap are:
• Bereavement Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Child Benefit
• Child Tax Credit
• Employment and Support Allowance (work-related activity
group only)
• Guardian’s Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Income support
• Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Maternity Allowance
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Widowed Parent’s Allowance
• Widowed Mother’s Allowance
• Widow’s Pension.
If you feel you may be affected
by the benefit cap, please phone
01344 382800 and ask to speak to a
Money Advisor.
Amelia Rowe and Jordon Brown, Money Advisors
How to report anti-social behaviour
If you’re experiencing noise nuisance, harassment or
other things you think are anti-social behaviour, please
contact us and we will investigate.
Email [email protected]
You can contact us in a range of ways:
We take reports of anti-social behaviour seriously
and will investigate. We will work with you to gather
evidence and we have various options to help
resolve the case depending on the circumstances.
Report it online at
www.bracknellforesthomes.org.uk/
anti-social-behaviour
(there’s also lots of information and diary sheets to
help gather evidence)
Call us on 01344 382800 or 0800 692 3000.
If you feel threatened or in danger, call the police
on 999.
Andrew McDonald, Housing Services Manager
Dog microchipping
From 6 April 2016, a new law will mean all dog owners
must have their dogs microchipped. Microchipping
permanently identifies a dog and helps reunite any
lost dogs with their owners.
A microchip - about the size of a grain of rice - is
implanted under the skin of a dog by injection, usually
in the scruff of the neck. The owner’s contact details
are recorded against the number of the microchip
and stored on a national database.
The move to compulsory microchipping is the most
effective way to get a dog returned to its owner. The
new law aims to reduce a rise in stray dogs nationally.
Owners who fail to comply with the new
legislation could face a fine of up to £500.
Find out where you can get your dog
microchipped by contacting your local
council.
If your dog is already microchipped, please
tell the relevant microchipping company
of any change of details.
www.bracknellforesthomes.org.uk
Top tip:
reduce unwanted sales
and marketing calls
Register with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS)
to opt out of receiving unsolicited sales calls. It’s
easy to register with the TPS by calling 0845 070 0707
or visiting www.tpsonline.org.uk
And if you’re in the phone directory, you’re more
likely to get cold calls, so ask your phone company
about going ex-directory.
If you are not expecting a
service or sales call or are
suspicious, do not disclose
any important information
and double check by calling
back the service provider from
another phone.
Page
13
Wordsearch
BENEFITS ONLINE
RECYCLING
DIGITAL DOWNSIZING THEWAYZ
11 words to find
EMPLOYMENT TRAINING
GARDENING WEBSITES
LANDSCAPING Congratulatio
ns
to last ed
competition ition’s
winn
Mr Dorman, ers,
Hanworth an
d
Mrs Hairfield,
Birch Hill
Find the 11 words in the box opposite, then complete
the form below and send your entry to us.
All entries will be judged and the winner will be notified.
Closing date 28 May 2016.
The prize is £25 Love2shop vouchers. Competition open
to tenants and leaseholders only.
Name: Daytime telephone number:
Address:
Please give us your feedback on Spotlight. What do
you like or dislike and what would like you like to see
next time?
!
Would you like any information about benefits or
Universal Credit?
Yes
No
Send your completed entry to the news group,
c/o Bracknell Forest Homes, Berkshire Court,
Western Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 1RE.
Recipe...
A tasty quiche
What you need
What to do
•Ready-made short crust pastry for 20cm base
Roll out the pastry and line a 20cm tin. Bake at
gas mark6/200c/fan 180c for 10 minutes. While
cooling, make the filling. Put two tablespoons of
butter in a saucepan, add the diced onion, garlic and
chopped broccoli. Add the bacon or ham if going for a
meat quiche. Cook slowly until soft. Put into pastry
case and cover with mozzarella.
•1 onion
•1 teaspoon garlic
•80g broccoli
•Add some ham or bacon if preferred
•150g grated mozzarella
•125ml milk
•2 eggs
•3 tablespoons melted butter
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14
Beat the eggs and add to the milk and a tablespoon
of melted butter. Pour over the filling and cook for 30
minutes at gas mark 4/180c/fan 160c.
www.bracknellforesthomes.org.uk