Help during winter

Winter is a difficult time for many people, when the higher cost of living for things like heating can severely affect your health and wellbeing as well as your finances. The organisations below can help you with a variety of different issues during this period crisis.

We’d also like to know about any other support for people in the local area. Please email info@healthwatchbirmingham.co.uk with details of any other organisations or initiatives we should include.

If you need information about more support or want to discuss your own personal situation, please contact our free, friendly and confidential Information & Signposting service by:

You can also read our report on how the cost of living crisis has affected the health and wellbeing of people in Birmingham and Solihull.

Healthcare costs

The NHS website lets you check if you are eligible for support with healthcare costs. It also has information on the Healthcare Travel Costs (HTCS) support scheme and who can get free prescriptions.

Local Support

Managing money

If you are experiencing financial hardship as a result of your council tax charge and you are on a low income you may be entitled to support from your Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

Birmingham How to apply | Extra help with your housing costs or Council Tax | Birmingham City Council

Solihull Council Tax Discretionary Reduction in Liability | Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Support for local citizens worried about the rising costs of energy bills, food and transport. This includes help to find out about benefits and grants for people facing a short-term crisis.

Birmingham City Council Find out more on the website or call 0121 303 1116 if you need immediate help (Mon to Fri: 9am to 7pm, Sat: 10am to 1pm). The website also has a list of other organisations that can help.

Solihull Council Find out more on the website If you are requesting emergency help with your pre-paid meter or need a food parcel you can call 0121 704 8284 so they can assess what help you could get.

Birmingham Settlement provides free, independent and confidential advice on debt, welfare services and managing your money. Find out more on the website or call 0121 250 0765 or email money.advice@bsettlement.org.uk to speak to an adviser.

Entitlements and household grants To check that you are receiving all the money that you are entitled to and find out what you can claim, call the DWP Help to claim line on 0800 144 8444 or contact the Solihull Community Advice Hubs on 0121 709 7590.

Universal Credit Helpline is available for help to make a claim for Universal Credit. Call 0800 144 8444.

Money Advice Service provides lots of information on topics such as money, benefits, work and pensions. Visit www.moneyhelper.org.uk. They can also signpost to other debt organisations such as the National Debtline 0808 808 4000 and Stepchange, the leading debt charity which provides free and confidential debt advice. Call 0800 138 1111 or visit: StepChange Debt Charity. Free Expert Debt Help & Advice

 

Heating and Housing

Birmingham Warm Welcome Spaces is a network of heated spaces provided by community organisations which are completely free to access. Find your nearest venue on the Birmingham City Council website.

Brum Energy offers free and independent home energy advice. Find out more on the website.

SIFA Fireside offers support including a drop-in centre and advice line if you are homeless or if your housing situation is unstable. Find out more on the website or by calling 0121 766 1700 (Mon to Fri: 9am to 5pm)

The Birmingham office of Shelter can help if you are homeless or are worried about losing your home. Find out more on the website or call the helpline on 0330 175 5121 (Mon to Fri: 9am to 5pm)

Act on Energy can help you reduce your energy bills and make your home warmer and more energy efficient. For advice, tips and support, including energy saving tips, pre-payment meters, energy debt, home heating repairs or improvements and energy efficiency grants. Free Act on Energy advice line on: 0800 988 2881, 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday, or email: advice@actonenergy.org.uk. Support in my area | Act On Energy

Priority Services Register
The Priority Services Register is operated by energy suppliers to help people in vulnerable situations. If you are eligible for this scheme (e.g. over the state pension age, long term medical condition or disability) contact your own energy supplier to be added to their list. For more information and a full list of the eligibility criteria visit: www.ofgem.gov.uk/energyadvice-households/join-your-suppliers-priorityservices-register.

Food

The Trussell Trust website lets you search for your nearest food bank. The charity also has a free confidential helpline on 0808 208 2138 (Mon to Fri: 9am to 5pm).

Birmingham City Council has a map of local foodbanks on its website, alongside a form to request vouchers.

Solihull Council has a number of options on their website, if you are struggling to pay for food for yourself and your family Here2Help – help with food | Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Big Feed Community Cafes serve up nutritious meals for free. Find locations and opening times on the Active Wellbeing Society website.

FoodCycle is a charity offering free hot meals at different weekly events across Birmingham. Find locations and times on the FoodCycle website.

People’s Corner runs befriending events for people who have just been discharged from hospital, where you can pick up food parcels and toiletries. Find out more on the Home From Hospital Care website or by calling 0121 472 4499.

Mental health

Birmingham Mind offer advice and information for people experiencing mental health difficulties. Call 0121 262 3555 or (freephone) 0800 915 9292 between 9am -11pm. Find out more on the website.

People experiencing a severe mental health crisis, or know someone who is, should call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.

You can find more help on our page for mental health support.

National Support

The UK Government website explains the support available for the costs of things such as housing, energy bills, childcare and travel.

The Citizens Advice website has information about grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills.

Turn2Us is a charity fighting poverty in the UK. You can find a local adviser as well as information and advice about paying bills and the cost of living on the website or by calling the free confidential helpline on 0808 802 2000 (Mon to Fri: 9am to 5pm)

The Ask Bill website has simple impartial advice about reducing your energy bills and managing debt.