SARH checklist helps customers prepare for Universal Credit

STAFFORD and Rural Homes is offering advice to help working age customers prepare for the up and coming Universal Credit system for issuing welfare benefit.

From October the government will begin to roll out its new system which means rent will no longer be paid directly to SARH and customers will have to make their own arrangements for payment of rent.

To make sure customers are prepared SARH has created leaflets and posters with a checklist of the key things needed to be ready for Universal Credit such as having a bank account, setting up direct debits, having access to the internet and budgeting rent and other spending.

The leaflets and posters also explain how SARH is able to help with each of these issues.

“We want to ensure our customers are aware of the major changes ahead and know of all the support we can provide to help people manage and maintain their finances in a safe and secure way,” said Kathryn Bradbury, Income Manager for SARH.

Staff will also be touring the borough to offer free money advice from SARH’s Mobile Office, starting with G Fest, at the Grosvenor Centre, High Street, Gnosall, from 10am to 2pm, on Saturday, July 13.

The leaflets are available at public information centres throughout Stafford Borough and the information has also been posted to all SARH customers.

The posters are being displayed in public buildings and communal areas to SARH homes.

New claimants and those with a change of circumstances such as a change in working hours will be the first to move onto the new system with everyone else of working age to follow.

For more information on welfare reform visit www.sarh.co.uk/welfare<https://www.sarh.co.uk/welfare> or contact SARH’s money advice team on 0800 111 4554 or email moneyadvice@sarh.co.uk