10:00am Wednesday 10th March 2010
NEW tenants living in Basildon’s council houses can now get the benefits they are entitled to more quickly.
St Georges Community Housing, the company which looks after Basildon Council’s 13,000 council homes, has formed a new “sign-up” team to offer advice and help on how new tenants can get the money they are entitled to, as soon as they move in.
The move came after some residents were left waiting weeks without their benefits.
To do this, St Georges is working with the benefits team at Basildon Council, as well as housing associations, such as Family Mosaic.
Steve Shynn, St Georges’ chief executive, said: “The sign-up team has started to make a really positive impact, right from the time tenants sign up to their new tenancy.
“The close working relationship between St Georges Community Housing and Basildon Council housing benefit service, means more than 200 tenants have had their housing benefit paid to them at the very start of their tenancy.”
The sign-up team has also launched a DVD telling residents how they can pay their rent, showing what services St Georges offers, and how they can get involved.
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