Curo News

Universal Credit and the 53-week year

Wed, 08 May 2024 15:28:03 Z

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that customers who receive Universal Credit will need to pay an extra week’s rent in March 2025. This is despite Curo campaigning alongside the National Housing Federation, which represents housing associations, to ask the DWP to change a rule behind the additional payment.

The payment is due because in a normal year Universal Credit pays for 52 weeks of rent. There are 52 Mondays in a normal year, meaning 52 weekly charges. But every five to six years, there are 53 Mondays in a year instead. 2024/25 is one of those years. The issue is that Universal Credit payments only recognise 52 weeks of rent. Customers on Universal Credit will need to pay this extra week themselves.

If you receive Universal Credit, please contact us. Our Money Advice team has access to grants and funds that can help you pay for this extra week. Don’t wait until next year, get in touch now so that we can find you a solution and put your mind at rest. Call us on 01225 366000, or email: customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk.

Choose the right showerhead

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:07:32 Z

The type of showerhead you use can have a big impact on how comfortable and efficient your shower is, especially when it comes to electric showers. Not all showerheads are the same, and some can cause issues for electric shower systems. Recently, our electricians have been attending call-outs for broken showers, which have been caused by the wrong showerhead being fitted.

Reduced water flow

Some showerheads are designed to save water or provide a gentle flow. While this is good for the environment and your water bills, it can be a problem for electric showers. Electric showers need a steady flow of water to work properly. If the flow is too low, it can lead to inadequate heating and a less enjoyable shower.

Stop buttons and pressure problems

Some showerheads have a stop button that lets you pause the water flow temporarily. This might seem convenient, but in electric showers it can be risky. When you stop the flow, the water in the unit continues to heat up, causing a sudden increase in pressure. This can activate a safety valve, leading to potential damage and the need for repairs.

Which type?

If you have an electric shower, it's important to choose a showerhead that's made for it. Look for models specifically designed for electric showers. These ensure a consistent flow rate that matches your electric shower's specifications.

Avoid showerheads with flow restrictors unless recommended by the electric shower manufacturer. Also, be cautious about showerheads with a stop button or shut-off valve - these features are not suitable for electric showers.

Pictured above: Some example of showerheads to avoid.

If you need to check a showerhead is suitable, get in touch with us.

Maintaining your showerhead

Also remember that regular maintenance is crucial to keep your showerhead working well. Over time, limescale and debris can build up, affecting the flow and causing problems. Cleaning your showerhead with a descaling solution or vinegar can help prevent these issues.

Curo’s Money Advice service puts £1.1m in customers’ pockets

Thu, 04 May 2023 08:59:59 Z

Curo’s Money Advice service has put more than £1.1 million into customers’ pockets over the past year.

An experienced and friendly team of advisors work in-house at Curo. They use their in-depth knowledge of budgeting, debt management, benefits and grants to help customers manage their finances and access money they wouldn’t otherwise get.

“The team are delighted that we’ve been able to help ease the financial pressures on our customers,” says Sarah Rogers, Customer Accounts Manager at Curo (pictured). “Our Money and Benefit Advice services have been a real lifeline for customers during the current Cost of Living crisis, which has seen many struggling with soaring food and energy prices. These figures speak for themselves in showing how the service supports our customers into a better financial place. It’s life-changing for many.”

Transforming finances

The Money Advice service helped transform the finances of customer Brigid Nolan. “It’s a godsend that the service has managed my finances,” she says. “I’ve never felt so supported in my life. It makes me feel so good that Curo colleagues cared enough to help me.”

The complex benefits maze makes it difficult for many customers to know what they’re entitled to. Money Advice colleagues identify the benefits customers should apply for and support them every step of the way in claiming. In total, they’ve helped customers claim £68,276, or £734 per customer supported in the past year.

Financial knowledge

Money Advice colleagues also use their financial knowledge to help customers reduce their debt, expenditure and rent arrears, while increasing their income and accessing charity and grant payments. This has made customers a total of £291,192 better off, or an average of £4,282 per customer supported. In total, the Money Advice service accessed £103,186 in backdated benefits and charity and grant payments in the past year.

Curo’s Passport to Housing service has saved customers a total of £743,533, or £3,541 per customer supported. Passport to Housing is a free and confidential service offered by Curo to help people bidding for homes through Bath & North East Somerset's Homesearch and South Gloucestershire's Homechoice schemes to prepare for a successful Curo tenancy and plan for the expense of moving home.

Money worries? Get in touch

“Our message to customers is, if you’re having trouble with money, it’s always worth giving Curo’s Money Advice service a call,” says Sarah. “We have access to grants and funds that you may not know about. Please don’t suffer in silence – pick up the phone and get in touch.”

Customers can contact the service either by phone on 01225 366000, or by email: customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk. We really want to help.

Benefits advice for older people

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 12:18:49 Z

Curo Benefits Advisor Tania Reason explains the support that older customers may be missing out on and how we can help.

As a Benefits Advisor at Curo, I love that I can help to increase our customers’ incomes. Sometimes people come to us and they’re really struggling. But I can support them to access the benefits they’re entitled to, so that they don’t have to worry anymore.

I can help people over the phone or we can make an appointment to see them in person. Lots of older people prefer to meet up so that we can go through their paperwork together. I’ll find out what they’re entitled to and support them to apply.

I’d say 8 out of 10 people who come to us aren’t claiming the benefits they’re entitled to, simply because they don’t know what’s available.

Tania Reason pictured above

The most common benefits older people miss out on are Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance, which helps with extra costs if you have a disability. People claiming Attendance Allowance can get up to £92.40 a week to help with personal support.

Pension Credit acts as a gateway benefit. So, if you get Pension Credit, you could be eligible for full Housing Benefit and may not have to pay Council Tax. Pension-aged people who are entitled to Pension Credit and a disability payment – for example Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance - could get up to £1,350 in Cost of Living Payments this year.

I can also look into whether customers can get the Warm Home Discount. And a lot of people don’t know about the Cold Weather Payments - you could get £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 April.

Another myth is that you can’t claim benefits if you’re working, but if you’re on a low income, you could be entitled to Universal Credit. The threshold for Universal Credit is increasing, so even if you weren’t eligible last year, you may be eligible this year. If you get Universal Credit, you can get the £900 Cost of Living Payment. Universal Credit also gives you access to things like cheaper broadband. So it’s worth claiming Universal Credit even if you only get 1p – just get in touch with us on the contact details below and we can do a quick check.

Older people can be proud about their finances and we understand that it’s a really personal topic. But our service is completely confidential. If you’re worried about money, we’re here to help, without judgement. I always tell older people that they’ve worked hard all their lives, they should claim what they’re entitled to. Please don’t be afraid to get in touch. Call the Money Advice service on 01225 366000, or email: customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk