Help with bills and debt

You may want to:

• apply for an emergency support payment - this could help pay for:
  • food
  • clothes
  • essential items (for example, a washing machine or fridge)
• find a local food bank

You can:

• apply for funding to help keep your home warm
• apply for an emergency support payment - this can help you pay for heating and other costs
• find out if you'll get the £150 council tax rebate to help with energy costs
• find out about the Energy+ support resource - this provides help to prevent fuel poverty
• contact British Gas Energy Trust for grants and support even if you're not a British Gas customer

There is help with heating costs on the government's website:

• Warm Home Discount Scheme
• National Concessionary Fuel Scheme
• Winter Fuel Payment
• Cold Weather Payment

You can:

• find out what benefits you can get on gov.uk
• get Healthy Start vouchers from the NHS to help buy basic foods
• apply for an emergency support payment - this can help pay for:
  • heating
  • food
  • clothes
  • nappies
  • other essentials
• find out about personal budgets and direct payments for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)

You can:

• find out what benefits you can get on gov.uk

If you're eligible, you can also:

• sign up to the HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) programme - it's free for children and young people aged 5 to 16 who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals
• apply for free school meals
• get help with the cost of home to school transport
• apply for an emergency support payment - this can help pay for:
  • heating
  • food
  • clothes
  • nappies
  • other essentials
• find out about personal budgets and direct payments for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)
   

To help pay your rent, you can:

• apply for a discretionary housing payment (DHP)
• get advice from Money Helper

You may be eligible for benefits from the government. Their website will tell you all about:

• benefits you can get if you're on a low income

You can:

• apply for council tax reduction (CTR) 
• find out about CTR if you have a disability
• find out if you'll get the £150 council tax rebate to help with energy costs

The council tax reduction (CTR) scheme has changed. You may be able to get hardship support if the changes mean that you are worse off.

Find out about

• the discount scheme from Severn Trent Water
• the discount scheme from South Staffs Water (SSW)

SSW community hub can make sure you get extra help when you need it. You can also compare their tariffs to see what's right for you.

If you're having money problems, you can apply to the SSW Charitable Trust. They may be able to help towards the cost of your water bill.

If you're a care leaver, you can get a discounted tariff from SSW.

Our Housing Team can offer help and support to you. You can contact us by email or you can phone us.

Find out more about:

• finding a home
• places you can stay and other help from Homeless England

If you want to help someone who is sleeping rough, you can get in touch with StreetLink.

You may be able to get tax relief or financial support:

• check what help you can get from HMRC

Find out more about the benefits you could get, including:

• benefits for families
• benefits if you're on a low income
• support if you're looking for work
• benefits if you're unable to work
• benefits if you have a disability or health condition
• help and support if you're a carer
• help you can get if someone dies

There's also advice from the government about:

• earnings and taxes
• employment

If your debts are getting out of control, we can help. Email our debt referral team.

There are lots of organisations outside of the council that will help you too.

Breathing Space

This free scheme could give you up to 60 days space from creditors. StepChange can help you to apply.

Debt advice

• Ablewell Advice
• Age UK
• Citizens Advice
• The Debt Advice Foundation
• National Debtline
• StepChange Debt Charity
• PayPlan
• Walsall Money Advice Project

Help with managing your money

• Money Helper gives free, impartial advice about your money
• Turn2us provides practical help if you're struggling with money
• Citizens Advice can help you open a bank account
• Walsave credit union can help with savings and loans
• The British Legion supports members and veterans of the armed forces and their families

• Let's Chat is a friendly, local wellbeing service
• Making Connections Walsall provides support for loneliness
• Walsall Talking Therapies can help if you're:
  • aged 17 or over
  • have symptoms of depression and anxiety
• The Samaritans can help with mental health and emotional support
• The British Legion supports members and veterans of the armed forces and their families
• Rethink has lots of information and advice about mental health