Housing Welfare Reform

Private Tenants

It is vitally important for people who are claiming Housing Benefit that they obtain as much information and advice as they can about forthcoming changes to how much money they will receive towards their rent.

The government has introduced changes through the Welfare Reform Bill that will mean from January 2012 onwards many people will receive less money from Housing Benefit along with other benefits they may be claiming.

In some cases where people are renting from a private landlord, up to £16 a week reductions in Housing Benefit are possible.

Find out how you are likely to be affected, view information about the changes to your local housing allowance.

To minimise the risk of going into rent arrears and/or becoming homeless we are advising people to find out as much information as possible and if necessary make contact with one of the advice agencies listed below to explore what your options are.

• Shelter  are holding weekly surgeries at Tameside Housing Advice  (see below) for private tenants every Tuesday between 10am-12pm. For further details ring 0344 515 1660.
• Tameside Council run a drop-in for debt advice on the first and third Thursdays of the month at Customer Services, Ashton-under-Lyne, between 9.30am - 12noon. For more information see www.tameside.gov.uk/debtadvice.
• Tameside Citizen Advice Bureau  run a drop-in surgery from Monday to Friday and can offer advice on a wide range of benefit issue. Visit their website at http://www.tamesidecab.org.uk  or contact them directly on 330 2156

Advice can also be obtained from the following sources

• Tameside Housing Advice 
  Ring 0161 331 2700 to make an appointment or view more information from the Tameside Housing Advice .
• Tameside Welfare Rights Service
  Ring 0800 074 9785 for the Advice Line open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 9.30am – 12.30pm
• Tameside Citizen Advice Bureau run a drop-in surgery from Monday to Friday and can offer advice on a wide range of benefit issue. Visit their website at http://www.tamesidecab.org.uk  or contact them directly on 0161 330 2156.