Supporting you

THCH is committed to ensuring residents have access to training.

In order to help our residents find work or training, we have created a Jobs & Training Group.

This service will be available by email, meaning we will be able to contact residents with details of jobs, training opportunities, and apprenticeships across Tower Hamlets and London.

Please register for this service to join our email circulation group.

If you are interested in the above or any of the training courses on offer, please use the form below to get in touch.

Jobs and Training

Note: Questions marked by * are mandatory

*This is a mandatory field. Full Name

*This is a mandatory field. Your Email

*This is a mandatory field. Your Address

*This is a mandatory field. Your Phone Number

*This is a mandatory field. Are you a:

Tenant
Leaseholder
Relative of a Tenant/Leaseholder
Other

We see providing good homes as only part of our role as a community housing association, we are on hand to offer help, advice, and support to our residents.

If you need support or advice then you can talk to our Tenancy Support Officer on 020 7780 3070 who will be happy to answer your questions.

We have also collated some useful information about some of the support services available below.

 

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a welfare payment combining six existing benefits into one, paid once a month into your bank account which will replace the following benefits:

• Housing Benefits
• Income-related Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Tax Credits
• Income Support
• Child Benefits

For more information, please use the following links:

• Universal Credit Helpline: 0800 328 5644
• More information on Universal Credit
• Explainer video: watch on YouTube

 

Bedroom Tax

Bedroom Tax is where the Housing Benefit Department decides if you have more bedroom(s) than you’re entitled to. They will then apply an appropriate reduction to your Housing Benefit. Currently, these reductions are 14% for 1 extra room and 25% for 2 or more extra rooms. Bedroom tax only affects people under pensionable age.
What can you do if you are affected?

• Pay the rent shortfall from your current income.
• Take on a lodger where appropriate (with consent from THCH)
• Register for a transfer or mutual exchange with the view of moving to a smaller home
• Apply for Discretionary Housing Benefit

 

Benefits and Welfare Reform

Check your benefits entitlement at Entitledto.

 

Benefit Cap

If you are aged 16 to 64, there may be a limit on the total amount of benefit your household can get. This is called the Benefit Cap.

From 7 November 2016, the cap in Greater London changed to:

• £442.31 per week (£23,000 a year) if you’re in a couple
• £442.31 per week (£23,000 a year) if you’re a single parent and your children live with you
• £296.35 per week (£15,410 a year) if you’re a single adult

If you newly fall into these groups, you will start to be affected from sometime in January 2017. Those already affected by the Cap will have seen a further reduction made from 7 November.

What can you do if you are affected?

• Try to find Employment. (People on Working Tax Credits are exempt from Cap)
• Apply for Discretionary Housing Benefit – (only a short term solution)
• Look for ways to save money i.e. better Gas and Electricity tariffs

The following Benefits will exempt you from the Welfare Cap. Check to see if you receive the following Benefits;

• Personal Independence Payments ( PIP)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Attendance Allowance (AA)
• Carers Allowance

If you are struggling to pay your rent and need to speak to someone please contact the Income Recovery team.

If you need advice and support on getting into work or managing your money and benefits please contact our Tenancy Support Officer on 020 7780 3070.

 

Help getting into work

For advice and help about getting into work, visit Love London Working and Work Path.

 

Financial Health Centre

A range of free, confidential, and independent services available to all residents in Tower Hamlets.

Drop-in sessions will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to six people per session so we advise that you come early in either the morning or afternoon to avoid disappointment. To view the services available please visit http://www.towerhamletshomes.org.uk/Extra_support/Financial_Health_Centre.aspx

To book an appointment, please call 020 7364 2200.

For further information please see the links below

• Money Advice Service.
• Universal Credit Financial Support.
• Step Change
• Citizens Advice Bureau

 

Energy saving

Energy Saving Trust

The Energy Saving Trust provides the information you need to make informed decisions about managing the energy efficiency of your home which can also help reduce your fuel bills.

For more information, please visit https://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-energy-efficiency

Project LEAP

Project LEAP works in close partnership with Local Authorities and Housing Associations across the country to offer eligible residents a completely FREE energy and money saving service.

LEAP can help to save you money AND keep your home warm and cosy and offers a free of charge in-home advice visit. Their Home Energy Advisors can:

• install free simple energy saving measures such as LED light bulbs and draught-proofing
• check if you’re on the best energy tariff
• arrange a free money advice consultation
• help you find funding for further energy-saving home improvements.

For more information, please visit https://applyforleap.org.uk/

Monarch Partnerships

Monarch Partnership has created a useful document explaining to tenants how they can become more energy efficient and save money on bills.

Challenges for residents include: poor energy efficiency in homes, mould and damp condensation and not being aware of how to save energy and cut down costs.

The document can be downloaded here.