The wait is finally over! Dive into the latest edition of Winter Connections. In this issue, we’re bringing you:
Quick Updates: Get the latest information on our repair services
Money matters: Join Jane and Evelyn as they tackle practical solutions for overcoming debt. Your financial peace of mind starts here!
Boiler safety tips: Our own Romy shares essential tips to keep your home cosy and warm this winter.
Exciting word search competition: Put your skills to the test for a chance to win £10 e-voucher.
We hope you enjoy this edition of Connections. We value your input, so if you have any feedback, please email Sam at samm@ccha.biz.
Want to receive Connections straight to your inbox? Sign up for our email list today.
We’re also dedicated to making our newsletter accessible to everyone. If you need a print version, large print, audiotape, Braille, or a translated edition, just call 0800 054 6710 or email customers@ccha.biz.
Happy reading!
Stay connected this holiday season
The holidays can be joyful, but they can also feel lonely or overwhelming, especially when finances are tight. Jane and Evelyn from the Welfare Team have compiled a list of local events and resources that we hope may be useful to you.
Churches offering a Christmas Dinner
At least three churches in Croydon will provide Christmas dinner for the lonely and those without a home on Christmas Day from 12 pm to 2 pm.
St Mildred Church, 30 Bingham Road, Croydon CR0 7EB
Spend Christmas Day surrounded by friendly faces at a delicious festive lunch.
To attend, please fill out the form on St. Mildred’s Church website.
Contact: 0208 655 1434
St Marks Church, Albert Church, South Norwood, SE25 4JE
Contact: 0208 6569923
St Michael & All Angels Church, Poplar Walk, Croydon, CR0 1UA
Contact 07595320985 for more information.
Winter Friendship & Cake Group at St. Mildred’s Church
30 Bingham Road, London, United Kingdom
Every Tuesday, 2pm – 4pm
Support to stay connected
If you’re feeling isolated, volunteers are available to offer:
- Check-in and chat calls: A friendly phone call to brighten your day.
- Companionship calls: Regular calls (up to 3 times a week for 6 weeks) from the same volunteer.
For more details or to make a referral, visit NHS Care Volunteer Responders.
To receive support, call 0808 196 3646 or request support online.
Speak to the SAMARITANS 24/7 – 35 days a year
Call: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Mental health crisis lines
Contact the 24-hour mental health crisis line on:
Croydon: 0800 731 2864
Bromley: 0800 330 8590
Sutton: 0800 028 8000
Local food banks
Please get in touch with our Welfare Team for more information or if you need a referral to your local food bank over the Christmas Period.
Support from the local councils with food and energy costs
Local authorities may be able to help with emergency vouchers for food or fuel. However, once funds are allocated, these schemes will close. Therefore, check if your local authority Household Support Fund (HSF) accepts applications.
- Croydon Household Support Fund
- Sutton Household Support Fund
- Bromley Household Support Fund (currently closed to new applications)
Last opportunity for pension-aged residents to check their eligibility for this year’s Winter Fuel Allowance
If you are State Pension aged or over and have not already received Pension Credit, please get in touch with our Welfare Advice Service to see if you are eligible. You have until 20 December 2024 to start a claim for Pension Credit and qualify for Winter Fuel Allowance for this year.
To get in touch with the Welfare Team, please call 0800 054 6710 or email income@ccha.biz.
On Friday, 29 November 2024, between 10am and 2pm, you can join us in the office for a drop in session with the Income Team.
The Income Team are here to help you in a safe, non-judgmental, supportive environment. They can provide tailored, confidential advice if you are experiencing financial difficulties or need support. Pop down to one of our drop in sessions to meet the team!
What’s on offer at the sessions?
- Friendly assistance: You’ll have the opportunity to meet with us. We are ready to help with empathy and understanding, making the experience as supportive as possible.
- Review of finances: We will be available to review your financial situations, including rent payments, debts, and arrears (this is an ideal opportunity if you are stressed about your finances to seek guidance).
- Universal Credit and benefit advice: We’ll provide tailored, confidential advice on welfare reforms such as Universal Credit, Bedroom Tax, Benefit Cap, and Non-Dependant Deductions. We are here to assist if you need help applying for or managing benefits.
- Alternative Payment Arrangements (APAs): If you find managing monthly Universal Credit payments overwhelming, we can discuss APAs, which allow the Housing Element of your benefit to be paid directly to ccha.
- Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP): We’ll also provide information on applying for DHP, a means-tested fund that can offer additional support if Universal Credit or housing benefit doesn’t fully cover rent.
- Council Tax support: Guidance on accessing support for council tax payments will also be available.
- Wellbeing and budgeting Support: We aim to offer comprehensive advice to help you manage your finances and overall wellbeing more effectively.
If you’d like help with any of the above or have other questions about your rent, finances or benefits, do pop down on the day to speak to one of the team.
Dates: Friday 29 November 2024
Times: 10am-2pm
Location: ccha office, 29 Sheldon Street, Croydon, CR0 1SS
The holiday season is a great time to celebrate with friends and family, but it can also be stressful and costly.
It’s important that you keep paying your rent over the coming months to avoid getting behind, which can cause you more stress from January onwards.
Here are some tips to help:
Set a budget
Take some time to figure out what essentials you need to pay for, such as rent, gas, electricity, etc. Then, see how much you have left over to spend on gifts, food, or fun.
Prioritise the necessities
Pay your essential bills first, such as rent, gas, and electricity, to avoid late fees or a lack of energy over the winter. If you miss payments, you’ll have to make up for it early next year.
Increase rent payments
You could pay an extra week’s rent early in December to ease holiday expenses. If that’s too difficult, you can keep paying your rent as usual and add a little extra each week leading up to Christmas. This way, you can stay up-to-date or even get ahead.
Update the right people
Remember to inform Housing Benefit about any changes in your situation that could affect your benefits.
Ask for help
Please get in touch with us if you’re having trouble managing your bills or benefits. We’re here to help! Call the Income Team on 0800 054 6710 or email income@ccha.biz.
In this edition, we cover topics such as:
- Quick updates where you can learn about staff changes we’ve had in the last six months and who has joined our Customer Service team.
- What’s happening near you in your community.
- Money matters where Jane talks about three frequently asked questions regarding benefits.
- Complaints and how to ‘Make your voice heard‘.
Additionally, we are continuing our competitions for you to enter to win digital Love2Shop vouchers, including a chance to participate in another photography activity.
We hope that you will find this edition of Connections enjoyable. If you have any feedback, please feel free to email Sam at samm@ccha.biz.
Want to receive Connections directly to your inbox? Sign up for our email list.
We are happy to provide print versions, large print, audiotape, Braille, and translated versions if you require the newsletter in a different format. Please request yours by calling 0800 054 6710 or emailing customers@ccha.biz
The Winter Fuel Payment, typically ranging from £100 to £300 per person of State Pension Age, is an annual assistance the Department for Work and Pensions provides to help with heating costs. It is normally paid automatically into your bank account between mid November and Christmas if you are aged 66 or over. However, the recent government changes means these payments have been stopped for individuals not receiving the guarantee element of Pension Credit.
The Pension Credit Guarantee is available to those on a low income. If you are of State Pension Age or will reach it within the next four months, it is recommended that you contact ccha and inquire about potential entitlement to Pension Credit by speaking to the Welfare Team.
Given the financial challenges many residents face, especially concerning energy bills, it is important to reach out if you need support. We strongly advise individuals of State Pension Age who feel they will struggle to put their heating on this Winter to contact us. Additionally, you can seek information about the Household Support Fund from your local authority.
You can contact us at 020 8680 7532, or on the free number 0800 054 6710, or by email at customers@ccha.biz.
It’s crucial to remain cautious and vigilant against potential scams related to winter fuel payments. To protect yourself, avoid clicking on suspicious links or opening unfamiliar texts.
Holiday breaks are an exciting time for young children, but it can be a challenging time for parents who can’t afford to send their kids to clubs for 6 weeks. There are however plenty of fun and budget-friendly activities that your kids can do during their break. Here are some ideas to keep your little ones occupied and entertained without breaking the bank.:
- Explore the outdoors: When the sun is shining, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors. Take your kids to the park, or beach or hike in the woods. You can also organise a picnic or a barbeque with your family and others. Encourage your kids to collect rocks, shells, and other natural materials that they can use for arts and crafts.
- Arts and crafts: Children love to get creative, so why not set up an arts and crafts station at home? You can use recycled materials such as cardboard boxes and egg cartons to make crafts. Let your kids explore their imagination and create something unique.
- Read books: Reading is a great way to keep your kids’ minds active during the break. Take your kids to the library and let them choose books that interest them. You can also organize a reading challenge and reward them for completing a certain number of books
- Learn a new skill: When off school, it’s a great time to learn something new. You can teach your kids how to cook, bake, or garden. You can also sign them up for a free online course or a workshop in your community.
- Family time: Spending quality time with your family is one of the best things you can do during the break. You can organize a weekly family game night, movie night or a backyard camping trip. It’s a great way to bond with your kids and create lasting memories.
There are plenty of activities that your kids can do during the school break without spending a lot of money. Encourage your kids to explore their creativity, learn new skills, and spend quality time with family and friends. With a little bit of planning and creativity, you can make this summer break a memorable one for your kids and yourself.
A Resident’s story – Rent arrears
Many individuals and families are struggling with rent arrears and financial difficulties, especially in the current economic climate. Take the case of a single mother of a child with special needs, who was barely making ends meet on basic Universal Credit, with less than £500 per month to live on after rent.
Her debts were mounting and she had accumulated rent arrears, struggling to top up her gas and electric meters. She was relying on food banks, and she was suffering from a low mood and anxiety, which affected her ability to increase her earnings through work. We worked together for 5 months. During this time, we successfully applied for a Disability Living Allowance for children for her son, Personal Independence Payment for herself and the sickness component of Universal Credit. We cleared her utility debt with £250 worth of vouchers and applied for 50% off her water bills and a Discretionary Housing Payment to clear the rent arrears.
Six months later, her income has increased to over £1600 per month after rent. She is managing her bills and has not incurred any further rent arrears. She now feels in the right ‘head space’ to start counselling with a view to returning to work as a beauty therapist.
This is one example of how we have helped residents in times of need. If you face similar challenges, don’t hesitate to contact us by calling 0800 054 6710 or emailing customers@ccha.biz. One of our team members will connect you with Jane, our Welfare, Benefit & Debt Officer.
The 2024 window cleaning schedule for ccha properties is available.
View the window cleaning schedule 2024 here.
We organised the schedule by start date (January, February or March) and postcode. If your postcode isn’t in the first table, please scroll down to the following pages.
You can read more about window cleaning in our Frequently Asked Questions section.
If you have any questions about window cleaning at your property that isn’t covered in the FAQ linked above, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Customer Service Advisors on 0800 054 6710 or email customers@ccha.biz
Make sure you have your say!
As you may know, there are upcoming May elections and the next General Election. To vote in these elections, you now need a Photo ID. Don’t let a lack of photo ID stop you from having a voice in who runs our country. Make sure your vote counts!
To vote, you’ll need one of the following types of photo ID:
- A UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
- A driving licence issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man, or any of the Channel Islands
- A UK passport
- A passport issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or a Commonwealth country
- A PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
- A Blue Badge
- A biometric residence permit (BRP)
- A Voter Authority Certificate (Note: this form of ID can only be used for voting).
In addition, you can also use one of the following travel passes as a photo ID when you vote:
- An older person’s bus pass
- A disabled person’s bus pass
- An Oyster 60+ card
- A Freedom Pass
Please note that the photo on your ID must look like you, and you can still use your ID even if it has expired. Also, the name on your ID must match your name on the electoral register. If it does not, you’ll need to either register to vote again with your new details or take a document with you to vote that proves you’ve changed your name (for example, a marriage certificate).
If you don’t have a photo ID, don’t worry! You can apply for a free ID. To get a Voter Authority Certificate for the 2 May 2024 elections, you’ll need to apply by 5pm on 24 April 2024. It’s free to apply, and you’ll just need a recent, digital photo of yourself.
If you need more information or support, please feel free to get in touch with Welfare Benefit & Debt Officer Jane on 0800 054 6710 or by emailing JaneW@ccha.biz.
Remember, your voice matters, so don’t let a lack of photo ID stop you from voting!
