Hexagon and Evelyn 190 Centre are working together to provide a new FREE Money Advice Service for Hexagon tenants. We recognise that rent arrears often build up when tenants have other bills or debts to pay or are having trouble with a Housing Benefit claim and we want to help. Our aim is to help our tenants keep their homes by offering timely advice.

Also, we would like to offer a free financial health check for all our new tenants.

We have arranged with Evelyn 190 Centre for an experienced advice worker to hold a surgery at our offices in Sydenham once a month.

Evelyn 190 Centre is based in Deptford and provides an advice service to Lewisham Borough residents on benefits, employment, housing and general money advice. They also run a youth project and a holiday play scheme.

This exciting new project will give our tenants access to free, confidential advice to help with budgeting, benefit claims and appeals, and debt management.

Who can use the service?
Any Hexagon tenant (from any borough) can ask for an appointment. Just ring our Customer Services Team on 020 8778 6699. They will take your details and make an appointment for you.

If we have too many people wanting an appointment we will give priority to new tenants who would like a financial health check and tenants who have rent arrears and are facing court action or eviction.

If we cannot offer you an appointment in the near future we will keep a waiting list or give you details of other advice agencies who will be able to help you.

When is it?
The Advice Surgery is held on the third Wednesday of each month in the afternoon.

What happens if more work is needed after the appointment?
Some financial problems are complex and may take a while to sort out. If the adviser cannot resolve your concern at the appointment, he will follow up afterwards. He may contact you by phone or invite you to a follow-up appointment at the Evelyn 190 Centre, whichever is convenient for you.

Will the adviser keep my personal information confidential?
All of your discussion with the adviser will be kept confidential. He will not share any of your personal information with Hexagon staff. We may however keep some basic information on who he sees and the type of query or problem that he helps you with. We may contact you later to check how useful you found the service.

What sort of things can the Adviser help with?
Financial Health Check for new tenants- The adviser will offer advice on budgeting for new tenants, particularly those who have a tenancy for the first time. He will also offer new tenants help with benefit claims and debt advice.

Benefits Advice - The adviser can tell you about welfare benefits which you may be entitled to and help you make a claim. If necessary he can represent you at an appeal hearing. He can help with Housing Benefit claims.

Debt Advice – We know that debts are worrying. The adviser can help you sort out which debts are a priority and can help you renegotiate your repayment plans with your creditors.

Budgeting – Whatever your income making money go round can be hard. The adviser can help you manage your income so that you budget for long term as well as day to day expenses.

Basic Bank Accounts- Some people may have problems opening a bank account because of their income or credit history. The adviser can tell you about the basic accounts which are available from the high street banks.