Paying your rent and housing benefit

How can I pay my rent?

We are able to offer a number of payment methods so that you can choose the one most suitable for you.Payment can be made :-

• By using your swipe card at any Post Office in the United Kingdom at any time.
• By direct debit or standing order

Once you have decided on your chosen method you should contact your Housing Officer or the Finance Section.

We will provide you with a rent statement four times a year, which will record your payments and give you details on your rent account balance. We will also ensure that the balance on your rent account is kept up to date and that all payments or housing benefit have been credited to your account.

If you have any questions about your rent account you can contact us in writing, by telephone or by calling in person at one of our offices.

What happens if I lose my swipe card?

• You should try to keep your swipe card safe. If you lose your card you must inform us as soon as possible and a new card will be sent to you within 14 working days.
• While you are waiting for your new swipe card you can call into any of our Offices where you will be loaned a swipe card on payment of a returnable deposit of £5.00. This card can be used for a single payment but must then be returned to the Office. You can borrow the swipe card as many times as you need to enable you to continue to make payments until your new card arrives.

What happens if I have problems making payments?

Please contact us at once if you experience any difficulty in making payments by calling into one of our local offices or by writing to or telephoning your Housing Officer.

Please contact us as soon as you can so that an alternative payment plan can be worked out. The Trust adopts a "firm but fair" appoach to rent recovery but if arrears increase and no arrangements are made to reduce the debt Court action could be taken which could lead to you loosing your home.

We have sessions run by the Citizens Advice Bureau at several of our information offices, for more information on these please call 01606 813 300.

Can you help with my housing benefit?

Our staff at Northwich Information Centre, Wyvern House and Cheviot Square in Winsford will be pleased to help you with your application for Housing Benefit.

If you have a problem with overpayment of Housing Benefit, or if you think you may be entitled to backdated benefit, please contact out Housing Benefit Liaison Officer on 01606 813 407.