MYMHA Tenant Portal

Domestic Abuse Support

Manningham Housing Association would like to give you all the support you might need. You can find below support and advice channels, and you can contact Prafula on 07967128055 – Monday to Friday office timing.

Where to get help

If you believe you are being abused or worried you may commit domestic abuse, read the Domestic abuse: get help during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak detailed guidance on how to get help which includes contact information for organisations and services which offer support and advice.

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police – the police will continue to respond to emergency calls.

If you suspect that your neighbours or those in your community are victims of domestic abuse, we encourage you to report it to the police.

If you are in danger and unable to talk on the phone, dial 999 and listen to the questions from the operator and respond by coughing or tapping the handset if you can (If you are in danger, you will be asked to dial “55). Click here for the guidelines.

Link

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is run by Refuge and offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day to victims and those who are worried about friends and loved ones.

Telephone:
0808 2000 247

Link

Women’s Aid has a live chat service and an online survivor’s forum. You can also find your local domestic abuse service on their website.

Link

The Men’s Advice Line is a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them.

Telephone:
0808 801 0327

Link

Galop runs the National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse helpline.

Telephone:
0800 999 5428

Email:
help@galop.org.uk

Link

Chayn provides online help and resources in a number of languages about identifying manipulative situations and how friends can support those being abused.

01535 210 999

9 am –5 pm

080 8 2800 999

Link

Imkaan is a women’s organisation addressing violence against black and minority women and girls.

Link

Stay Safe East provides advocacy and support services to disabled victims and survivors of abuse.

Link

SignHealth provides domestic abuse service support for deaf people in British Sign Language (BSL).

Text or WhatsApp/FaceTime:
07970 350366

da@signhealth.org.uk

Call:
020 3947 2601

Link

If you are concerned about how coronavirus may affect your finances and leave you vulnerable to economic abuse, please see the advice provided by HM Treasury on what support is on offer.

The charity Surviving Economic Abuse has also provided additional guidance and support.

Link
Link

SafeLives is providing guidance and support to professionals and those working in the domestic abuse sector, as well as additional advice for those at risk.

Link

If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be an abuser, there is support available. Respect is an anonymous and confidential helpline for men and women who are harming their partners and families. The helpline also takes calls from (ex)partners, friends and relatives who are concerned about perpetrators.

Telephone:
0808 802 4040

Link

The NSPCC helpline is available for advice and support for anyone with concerns about a child.

Telephone:
0808 800 5000

Email:
help@nspcc.org.uk

Link

Childline provides help and support to children and young people.

Telephone:
0800 1111

Link

Barnardo’s provide support to families affected by domestic abuse.

Link

Family Lives provide support through online forums.

Link

Rights of Women provide guidance about child contact arrangements relating to COVID-19.

Read more about it here domestic abuse leaflet

Link

If you are concerned about domestic abuse, we know it can be hard to find support. That’s why Bright Sky was developed.

Bright Sky is a safe, easy to use app and website that provides practical support and information on how to respond to domestic abuse. It is for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or who is worried about someone else.

Bright Sky helps you to spot the signs of abuse, know how to respond, and help someone find a safe route to support you.

Download Bright Sky today because you never know when you might need it to save someone’s life.

Bright Sky is here for anyone in an abusive relationship, or if you’re worried about someone else. Our directory of services will help you to find local and national support services and you can also find out how to spot the signs of domestic abuse.

Bright Sky is also available as an app via the App Store or Google Play. Only download the app if it is safe for you to do so and if you’re sure that your phone isn’t being monitored.

Rehab 4 Addiction was founded to assist those affected by substance misuse and their loved ones. This includes alcohol rehab, drug rehab, detox services, intervention, aftercare and outpatient counselling

Link

For more advice and guidance on domestic abuse, please see Domestic abuse: how to get help.

Link

Welfare Benefits & Financial Support Officer Update

With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and concerns of a winter spike in the number of coronavirus cases, this winter is likely to be one of the toughest financial periods for the already stretched family budgets.

 A financial cliff edge

 UC has already notified all claimants that the temporary £20 per week UC uplift, which the government introduced as part of the covid-19 financial support payments, will end this month. As a result, all UC claimants will see a reduction of £86.67 in their UC payments from October 2021.

UC entitlements from October 2021:

  • Single claimants under 25 – From £344.00 to £257.33 a month
  • Single claimants aged 25+ – From £411.51 to £324.84 a month
  • Joint claimants both under 25 – From £490.60 to £403.93 a month
  • Joint claimants with either aged 25+ – From £596.58 to £509.91 a month

 

A poll conducted by Yougov for the foodbank charity Trussell Trust found that without the uplift people said they would have to go without essentials or be forced into debt to cover the costs. For some people, this is likely to leave a very stark choice of heating or eating. Others will have to reduce costs on essential purchases, paying off bills, managing debts better and a reliance on food banks. An increase in mental and physical health may also arise as result of financial worries and ensuring the bills are paid.

What is Universal Credit: https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/

Universal Credit helpline: 0800 328 5644

Furthermore, uncertainty exists of what may happen to employment circumstances once the furlough and self-employed income support schemes end in September. In addition to this, the rise in national insurance contributions from April 2022 (see graph below) will see reductions in worker’s take-home pay.

Earnings under £9,564 a year (£797 a month) don’t have to pay National Insurance.

Gas & Electric bills set to increase from 1st October 2021

Gas and electricity bills are due to increase significantly, because of greater demand and lower supply. Gas prices have risen by 250% since January 2021.

The energy price cap, which is the cap on the cost per unit of energy and is set by the energy regulator Ofgem, is due to increase by 12% from 1st October.  The energy price cap is reviewed every 6 months, and so on 1st April 2022, another 14% increase is predicted by experts.

 Your options:

  • Remain on your current deal and hope prices come down soon. However, please note some of the smaller energy suppliers have now gone out of business. You will continue to get gas and electricity supply, but Ofgem will then put you with a new provider and you may end up on a more expensive tariff, but you could move to another supplier without paying exit fees.
  • Change to a 1 or a 2-year fixed deal to avoid the uncertainty of a volatile market and possible predicted price rises. However, ensure you choose one of the bigger established suppliers.

 

What can I do if I am struggling to pay my bills?

  • Your supply won’t be cut off – disconnections have been suspended because of the pandemic
  • Talk to your supplier – they may offer you payment reviews, breaks or reductions
  • Prepayment metered customers – You can request an emergency credit
  • Behavioural changes – Don’t waste energy, wear more layers of clothing, lower thermostats, use draft excluders, and not leave electricals on standby
  • Warm Home Discount – If you’re on a low income and getting certain benefits such as Pension Credit Guarantee or Universal Credit, you might be able to get it. Check with your energy supplier if you qualify for the £140 discount in your bill or prepayment electricity meter. Please note that not all energy suppliers are part of the scheme.
  • Cold Weather Payments – You may get £25 for each 7-day period where the temperature in your area is recorded as or forecast to be zero degree Celsius between 1 November and 31 March if you are on Pension Credit or other income-related benefits.  If you’re eligible to get a Cold Weather Payment, you’ll be paid it automatically. gov.uk/cold-weather-payment
  • Winter Fuel Payments – State pension/pension credit automatically qualify and could get between £100-£300 between November and December to help with bills. For queries and claims, please contact the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160. gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment

 

Yorkshire Water Support Schemes

Have your water bill capped at £418.92 per year (2021/22)

  • Water Sure – For customers with a water meter – a medical condition in the family or 3+ children
  • Water Support – Low-income families with water bills over £430 per year
  • Community Trust – support with water bill arrears for customers with at least one priority debt

Further details about eligibility and applications please visit:

www.yorkshirewater.com/bill-account/help-paying-your-bill/

 

Green Doctor service

MHA works closely with the Green Doctor service, a charity that provides support to people facing fuel poverty. To check if you are eligible for this FREE service and if you would like support with taking control of your bills and reducing energy costs, please contact the Green Doctor service directly on FREEPHONE 0808 168 3547 or Email greendoctorleeds@groundwork.org.uk or contact Faisal Khan at MHA on 01274 771144

MHA support for tenants

If you need information/advice on your benefits or if you are struggling financially and have fallen behind with your rent payments, and you need support, please contact Faisal Khan, Welfare Benefits and Financial Support Officer at Manningham Housing on 01274 771144.

Advice and practical support are available in English, Urdu, and Punjabi.

Support Services

Citizens Advice (Bradford/Keighley):  0344 245 1282    Citizen Advice UC Helpline: 0800 144 8 444

http://www.bradfordcab.com/

Step Change for debt advice:  0800 138 1111 www.stepchange.org

 Family Action Bradford – Canterbury Advice Centre, 1-3 Ringwood Road, Bradford, BD5 9LB

Tel: 01274 577571      Email: canterburyadministrator@family-action.org.uk

www.family-action.org.uk/what-we-do/children-families/bradford/

 Project 6 – Keighley Pathways Service, 15-17 Devonshire St, BD21 2BH

Tel: 01535 608 631    Email: info@project6.org.uk

 To find a local specialist advice service in your neighbourhood, please visit: https://advicefinder.turn2us.org.uk