Our Authority are going through the process of transferring it's Housing stock to a housing Association. The subject of the HA providing Welfare Rights/Debt advice to it's tenants has'nt really been looked at in any detail However, one of the members of the shadow board has expressed an interest in how other HA's approach this area of work.

Would it be possible therefore for some of you who work for HA's to email me direct with at least an outline of your remit/job description/areas of responsiblity etc

Any guidance greatly appreciated...............

Mike

I am a welfare benefits/money advisor based in 5 associations in the Drumchapel area of Glasgow.

My area of work under the contract is as follows:
I handle all technical cases, housing benefit, overpayment etc. I am not directly involved with straight forward rent arrear cases, I am however asked to assist in drawing up financial statements with regard to affordable repayments of rent arrears. I also do the basic welfare benefits side, ie applying for various benefits, DLA AA Disc HB etc. If the tenant has a debt problem I handle this under normal Money Advice practice.
I cannot represent tenants at the heritable court, as this is seen as a conflict of interest.

I am a Welfare Benefits Officer for a HA in Glasgow. Our remit was to help reduce rent arrears for the HA and increase income for tenants to enable them to help pay their rent. Involved in ensuring HB/CTB processed correctly, for all other benefits - assisting claims, making appeals - giving general advice - helping clients with DWP meetings etc. Generally, clients are referred to us by the office with information on their circumstances. From that it is usually easy to determine whether they are receiving all their entitlements, and it is taken from there.

Give me an email address and I will send you my JD. I dont do in depth debt advice as I have not got the time, but I do represent at Tribunals relating to all social security benefits. Theoretically I also represent a\t Tax Credit Tribunals, but has anyone managed to do one yet?

Hi Mike,

I can e-mail you my JD as well if you want it ... jim

Thanks for the offers - Email is

mike.shermer@west-norfolk.gov.uk