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TRH staff with Sian Peters and Tracey Hill from FoDDC Housing Benefit Department
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Staff at Two Rivers Housing recently undertook an intensive 3-day training session with representatives from the Housing Benefit department at Forest of Dean District Council to enhance the level of service the housing association can offer its tenants whilst improving internal efficiency.
Members of the Income Collection Team have been working in partnership with the Housing Benefit Department to find ways to help tenants with their claims for Housing Benefit, Council Tax and other benefits.
Karen Beard, Income Collection Supervisor at Two Rivers said:
“We are always looking for ways we can improve the level of service we provide to our tenants. Our training has involved verifying claims and supporting evidence as well as workshop sessions on verification of information and fraud awareness.”
The verification partnership project aims to:
- Help speed up the process of assessment of Housing Benefit claims and ensure that Two Rivers’ tenants receive their rent rebates as soon as possible.
- Ensure that tenants’ income is maximised by promoting benefits to those who are entitled but who are not claiming.
- Build on the already excellent relationship between Two Rivers and Forest of Dean District Council.
- Ensure that processes are smooth, effective and efficient which will bring advantages to Two Rivers Housing, Forest of Dean District Council and any mutual customers.
- Ensure that arrears of rent are kept to a minimum.
Caroline Horlick, Revenues and Benefits Performance Manager at Forest of Dean District Council said:
“By working in partnership with Two Rivers Housing we are able to help our mutual customers with their Housing and Council Tax Benefit. With Two Rivers verifying and collating information on our behalf we will be able to assess benefit and changes in circumstances more efficiently and effectively. This will help our customers by cutting down on processing time and it will also make the processes of collecting income and administering claims more streamline and cost-effective.”
The first phase of this project began in early July and the aim is to ensure it is fully adopted by the end of October.
