At home with Fife Housing Group – 15 April 2020

At home with Fife Housing Group – 15 April 2020

Home » News » At home with Fife Housing Group – 15 April 2020

At home with Fife Housing Group – 15 April 2020

15 April 2020

Welcome to our weekly round-up of information and advice which you may find useful during the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

We are endeavouring to maintain as many services as possible and remain fully contactable on 08000 274 007 and via info@fifehg.org.uk. Please also note that our text number changed to 07520 632 740 on Monday 6 April.

Although we are currently restricting repairs to emergencies and gas/electrical safety checks only, non-emergency and routine repairs are being logged to be scheduled as soon as possible after we are advised that it is safe to do so. A more detailed update on our services can be found here.

Gas servicing

During the Coronavirus outbreak, we are working hard to maintain a balance between managing gas safety risks and protecting people from infection.

Due to the potentially fatal impact of gas explosions or exposure to carbon monoxide, gas servicing retains its classification as an essential requirement and we have a legal responsibility to continue undertaking the annual checks required to ensure the safety of our tenants during this crisis.

Our gas contractors are fully aware of their responsibilities and taking all possible precautions, including the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and social distancing, to safeguard both tenants and themselves whilst carrying out this essential work.

If you have concerns with regard to providing access for these vital checks to take place please do not hesitate to contact us directly on 08000 274 007.

Important information for Universal Credit claimants

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has asked us to advise that it may be necessary for them to contact Universal Credit claimants by telephone for verification purposes, and that these calls may be made seven days a week, appearing on caller identification as either an 0800, private or withheld number.

In these instances it is important to ensure that you are fully satisfied that the caller is genuine so, in order to provide reassurance of this, DWP staff will:

  1. Contact you via your Universal Credit Journal advising that they will be calling soon.
  2. Provide the last three digits of your unique Universal Credit account code/number.
  3. Confirm the last three digits/letters of your postcode.

Claimants themselves are being encouraged to maintain contact with the DWP via their online journal rather than calling in, to allow them to free up as much capacity as possible for these verification calls.

Also, a further reminder that if you are in receipt of Universal Credit and have not already done so, you need to update your Universal Credit Journal with your new monthly rent and service charges, as detailed in your rent increase letter, as soon as possible.

Last week’s update, containing additional important information for Universal Credit claimants, a guide to staying safe during lockdown for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and guidance on responsible storage and disposal of rubbish during the pandemic can still be found here.

You can also check out a list of frequently asked questions regarding the impact of Coronavirus here.

INFOGRAPHIC BY MOLLY BRUGGEMAN, SANFORD HEALTH
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