Support paying your rent

If you’re worried about money and missing rent payments, please contact us. Get in touch with us as soon as possible - we can help you.

We’ll make sure you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to.
We can look at a manageable repayment agreement to help you pay your rent and clear any arrears.
We may refer you to our Tenants First team for help getting financial and social support.
We may refer you to our independent Money Advice Worker who can help with complex multiple debt issues.

If you have former tenancy arrears with us, we may contact you to discuss these. If you receive a call from 01226 818145 or a text from Berneslai, this is a legitimate call and you'll be directed to a member of the Berneslai Homes Income Team to discuss your account.

Help with getting the right benefits

It’s important to know what support you’re entitled to and how to apply for it. In most cases, you'll need to make a claim online. If you need help getting online or understanding things, please contact us and a member of our team will assist.

Contact the Income Team

Click below to find out more about benefits:

Universal Credit (UC)

You may be able to claim Universal Credit (UC) if you’re on a low income or need help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income (including self-employed or part time), out of work or if you can’t work, for example because of a health condition.

To make a claim for the housing costs element of Universal Credit you should do this straight away as it’s the date of your claim that will be used in deciding when any housing costs are paid. The housing costs element of Universal Credit can’t be backdated, apart from certain special circumstances.

After you apply, you must contact your local Job Centre Plus within 7 days to make an appointment with a work coach.

If you’re awarded the housing costs element of Universal Credit, it’s your responsibility to pay the rent due.

Universal Credit Managed Migration

The Government is moving people who are currently claiming legacy benefits such as tax credits, Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support and Housing benefit etc onto Universal Credit.

You don’t need to do anything until you have received a Universal Credit ‘Migration Notice’ (letter) from the DWP.

The first roll out will only affect people claiming Working Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits.

Housing Benefit

Housing benefit helps people on a low income to pay their rent. It can pay for part or all of your rent.

You can make a claim for housing benefit using the council’s online benefit form.

It’s important that you do this straight away and supply all required documentation as claims can’t be backdated more than 4 weeks.

If you don’t put your claim in straight away you’ll be responsible for paying the full rent due.

Discretionary housing payment (DHP)

If you’re finding it difficult to pay your rent, you may be able to get a discretionary housing payment (DHP) on top of your usual housing benefit or Universal Credit payment. This is a temporary payment to help people facing financial crisis.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition. You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits. The amount you receive depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself and you’ll need an assessment by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Universal Credit FAQs

Find out more about Universal Credit

The benefit cap and under occupation

The benefit cap is a limit on the total amount of benefit you can get. It applies to most people aged 16 or over who have not reached State Pension age.

Get help setting up a bank account

If you need help setting up a bank account, we can help. Click below to set up your own account, or to request help from our Tenants First team.

Contact the Tenants First team

Click to fill out a request form or phone us on 01226 774270.

Barclays Bank

We have an arrangement with Barclays Bank and can refer you to open a basic bank account to manage your money and access Direct Debit and debit card facilities to pay your bills. Barclays Bank also offers a money skills programme for those who feel they would like to know more about budgeting and managing their income.

Community First - credit union

Community First offers various accounts which allow standing orders for bill payments, access to regular savings, and fair and affordable access to credit.

Money Saving Expert - compare offers

Money Saving Expert can help you compare bank accounts and find the best option for your personal circumstances.

If you're in rent arrears

We’ll contact you by letter and sometimes by telephone, email, text, or a visit where your account has fallen into arrears and ask you to put things right by making a payment arrangement to clear your debt as quickly as possible.

If you’re behind with your rent, it’s important to get in touch with us as soon as possible so that we can help. It’s never too late to sort out a repayment arrangement, but the later you leave it, conditions will be applied.

Contact the Income Team Make a payment