We can help those on a low-income or live on benefits with the following:
- Rent arrears
- Housing benefit problems
- If you are living in Westminster and would be affected by the cap in housing benefit, we have set up a special project called NextDoor to provide you with advice and practical assistance.
- Council Tax problems
- Gas, electricity and water claims, disconnections and prepayment meters
- Benefit and Tax Credit overpayment claims
- Small fines, especially for non-payment of TV licence or truancy
How we can assist?
- We can negotiate on the person’s behalf.
- We can help deal with bailiffs enforcing these kinds of debts and fines.
- We can help to clear up mistakes in the system and help to put pressure on it when it is slow or obstructive.
- We can provide someone known as a McKenzie Friend to support the person if he or she has to go to court or tribunal in connection with these issues.
- We can help the person appeal to the Ombudsman.
- We can advise on using a solicitor (you may qualify for Legal Aid).
Through our casework, we have helped many families who would be otherwise homeless if they had not received our help, and have prevent many from going down a spiral of debt and depression.
As expressed by someone we helped “Had it not been for Z2K’s efforts, my family would have been homeless on Christmas days and on school examination days”.
NextDoor’s specialist advice line and casework service for individuals in Westminster who would be affected by the changes in housing benefit
The reduction in the Housing Benefit of many private sector tenants will impact the most vulnerable and hardest to reach who are living in private rented accommodation in Westminster. We are concerned that they will not receive the advice and support they need to manage the effects of these changes. For example, what do a family do when their landlord refuses to reduce their rent but their child has special educational needs which mean they have to stay in Westminster?
Although we are unlikely to be able to stop people from having to move, we feel that early advice and assistance is the key to more positive outcomes.
NextDoor will be operating a specialist advice line and casework service designed to ensure that tenants are aware of their rights and the options available to them.
The service will also provide practical assistance to tenants, including:
- completing discretionary housing payment applications
- negotiating with landlords
- attending the Housing Options Services
- supporting tenants to find alternative accommodation.
Please contact our Project Manager, Romin Sutherland for more information at rominsutherland@z2k.org or 020 7259 0801. NextDoor’s specialist housing training might also be of interest to you.
Read about the impact of our help & advice
Learn more about ways we help
We are members of 