Tenant Newsletter - August 2022

Cost of Living Payment

The Government has introduced three different types of payments to support people on certain benefits or tax credits with the cost of living.

Depending on your circumstances on a particular date or during a particular period, you could be eligible for:

• a Cost of Living Payment, if you receive a qualifying low income benefit or tax credits
• a Disability Cost of Living Payment, if you receive a qualifying disability benefit
• a Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, if you're entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023

The following low income benefits and tax credits qualify:

• Universal Credit
• income-based Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

Cost of Living Payments total £650, with £326 set to be paid in July 2022 and a further £324 in the autumn (except for people in receipt of tax credits, who should receive the £326 payment in September and £324 during the winter).

The Government has used computer records to identify people eligible for a Cost of Living Payment. If you believe you're eligible for a payment, but have not received it, you should contact the office which pays your benefit or tax credits.

Visit the Government website for more information on Cost of Living Payments

Tenants in Overslade have created a community vegetable garden and meeting place with a little help from the council.

Sisters Wendy and Tina sowed the seeds for the idea during lockdown, and contacted the council to ask whether a small patch of land in Garyth Williams Close could be cleared of bushes to make way for a vegetable garden and outdoor seating.

Neighbours rallied round and bought seating in memory of family and former neighbours, while the vegetable garden quickly became home to crops of potatoes, pumpkins, beetroot, lettuce and tomatoes.

The Close community has taken collective responsibility to keep the vegetable garden weed-free and watered, and have created a Facebook group to keep neigbours posted when vegetables can be harvested and collected for cooking.

And the outdoor seating has become a place for both quiet contemplation and community events, including celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and VE Day.

If you have an idea to improve your community, let us know. We'll lend a helping hand if we can. Email RBC.tenants@rugby.gov.uk

Have you ever wondered what happens to your tenancy when you pass away?

Without a will or power of attorney, a relative cannot legally terminate your tenancy. In such cases, a public trustee has to be appointed through the courts - a long process which can take months.

During this process, rent remains chargeable on your property and must be paid with any money you leave in your estate.

Appointing a power of attorney with the authority to make decisions on your housing and finances and writing a will can save your family time and money.

Age UK has produced a factsheet to guide you through making your will.

Visit the Age UK website and view the factsheet

You can call Age UK on 0800 678 1602 to ask for a copy of the factsheet to be posted to you.

The Warwickshire Local Welfare Scheme helps vulnerable residents at times of unavoidable crisis when no other means of support can be offered.

The scheme also distributes money from the Government's Household Support Fund, which aims to support households facing financial challenges due to the cost of living.

Due to the limited amount of funding available, the scheme prioritises providing the day-to-day essentials for families and individuals - food, energy and water.

However, the scheme considers all applications on a case-by-case basis and advisors can signpost you to other organisations and agencies which can offer you help and support.

You can call the Warwickshire Local Welfare Scheme on 0800 4081448 or 01926 359182 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 9am to 4.30pm on Fridays.

Visit the Warwickshire County Council website for more information on the Warwickshire Local Welfare Scheme

Rugby Summertime offers a programme of free family events in the town centre.

You can head for the beach in the heart of the town centre on Tuesday 16, Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 August. The Market Place beach comes complete with deck chairs, buckets and spades, and plenty of sand to keep children entertained. The beach opens from 10am to 5pm each day.

The Big Yellow Bus Street Circus rolls into town on Wednesday 24 August, based in Market Place but bringing all the fun of the circus to the town centre with street circus performers and entertainers. You can join in the fun from 10am to 4pm.

And on Friday 2 September, Quantum Theatre bring a live adaptation of Beatrix Potter's children's classic The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny to Caldecott Park.

The free performance takes place from 3pm to 6pm. Places must be booked in advance.

Visit The Rugby Town website for more information

Severn Trent has increased its support for customers on low incomes struggling to pay water bills with the launch of a £30 million fund.

The Big Difference Scheme offers a discount of up to 90 per cent for any Severn Trent customer with a household income of below £16,385.

You can apply online and should your application be approved, you'll receive a new, personalised payment plan, which includes payments towards any debt on your account.

Severn Trent also has a number of other schemes to support customers struggling with water bills.

Visit the Severn Trent website for more information and to apply for the Big Difference Scheme