Supporting Sandwell – advice to make the most of your money this winter
Get advice on how to make the most of
your money as part of Sandwell Council’s Supporting Sandwell campaign which is helping people through the cost of living crisis. From money saving tips to emergency financial help, there’s lots of useful advice in the Money Matters section of the Supporting Sandwell information hub.
Councillor Bob Piper, Sandwell Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, said: “We are supporting residents in all sorts of ways through the current cost of living crisis. “We know many people are really struggling to make ends meet and everyone is feeling the effects of the rising cost of living.
Christmas is a time when people’s budgets are under extra pressure. “Our Supporting Sandwell hub has a wide range of advice on making the most of your money and how to find help if you need it. “If you are worried about your finances or if you’re already in debt, please know that help and support is available.
Don’t let your debts spiral further, please access the advice and support on offer.” Money Matters topics included on the Supporting Sandwell hub are: Money saving help – including budget planners and tips on reducing energy costs Money troubles? Free guidance
Help finding work
DWP Cost of Living Payment
Get help with debt
Financial help in an emergency
Help to claim Universal Credit Cost of living support
Household Support Fund
How to claim Pension Credit
Council Tax Reduction
Local Welfare Provision
There's also advice on bills, including what to do if you're struggling to pay for energy costs and how to cut your broadband bill if you're on a low income. Just look under the Bills section of the information hub. Sandwell Council’s Welfare Rights Team gives free independent and impartial advice and support on all welfare benefits, helping thousands of people each year claim the benefits they are entitled to.
Visit the Welfare Rights Team webpage to find out more, or call 0121 569 3158 if you're not online. Sandwell has more than 60 Warm Spaces across its six towns – these are safe places, including all libraries and a number of community centres, where people can keep warm, chat, have a hot drink and charge their devices.
More information on Warm Spaces is available on the council’s Warm Spaces webpage. All Sandwell Council libraries are Warm Spaces during opening hours. And the Warm Spaces in libraries always have something going on. People can take out a book, use the computers, get involved in activities and join some of the groups that meet there.
People can also chat with staff about the support services available, get advice and information about benefits and bills and how to access community support to combat isolation.
Food vouchers will be provided for children eligible for free school meals over the Christmas 2022-23 holidays, and during February half-term and the Easter holidays in 2023.
More information is available on the free schools meals webpage. For more details of the cost of living help and advice available, visit our Supporting Sandwell information hub online.
To receive cost of living tips to your phone via WhatsApp, add 07585 997453 to your contacts then send the word YES to this number. More details are available on the Supporting Sandwell webpage.