UK Bill Help

Families from the Birmingham community can receive a grant when they are faced with a crisis. The funds are issued to vulnerable families that are facing an emergency and it can help them until they regain stability. The city can provide help from the Local Welfare Provision for rent arrears, white good, fuel costs such as utility or electricity bills, and other needs. Each application is reviewed and grants are limited based on central government funding.

The aim is to help people with a local connection, in particular the vulnerable, stay independent while they deal with the hardship. During this time the council in Birmingham may also assign a social worker to partner with the family on employment or dealing with any arrears on their debts or rent. They will help the client gain stability or training if needed.

Applications and criteria for the Local Welfare Provision

Proof of need will be required, and this will include income, assets, and the crisis being faced. The applications will be reviewed by the council, and they are under no obligation to help an individual and any funds are discretionary. The grants are just meant to be a form of crisis aid for short term needs.

Also, the Birmingham Local Welfare Provision is meant to be a last resort, and the applicant needs to have applied to other charities or schemes first. So the individual seeking assistance needs to prove they have applied for help from other sources, such as not-for profits, government social services, and programmes such as a discretionary housing payment. Details of these requests will need to be provided when applying.

The government will set the funding levels each year, so the amount of financial aid is limited. Once the scheme has run out of funds, then no other grants will be issued to families. However the council may always be able to offer referrals to other solutions to prevent homelessness or to help with a fuel bill.

The application can be completed online, at the council website. It needs to be done accurately and proof needs to be submitted on income and prove that other programmes, such as rental assistance, food banks, and payment plans with energy suppliers have been explored. Families can only apply to the scheme at most once per year. More information is available from the council and social services, and they can be ringed at 0121 675 4806.

Types of grants available in Birmingham

There are several types of funds that may be available as part of Welfare Provision. All funds are for a crisis only, people with a local connection, and the low income. No cash is provided to the individual, however the funds will be issued on a pre-paid card or other means. That car can then be used to pay bills or be provided to a landlord.

• Tenants may receive Community Support Grants. These are to help pay for new accommodations, such as a rent deposit, furniture, or even items such as a fridge. The council will even arrange for installation of the furniture items at the new property.
• Fuel bills – The Local Welfare Provision has partnerships with gas and water providers. Together they will help with paying any arrears on your account to stop a shut of off your utilities. Applicants need to have entered into payment plans or requested assistance from their energy supplier before a grant is issued for paying any fuel costs. This is also a partnership in place with local fuel charities, and vouchers in Birmingham may help pay energy or light bills in a crisis.
• Disaster assistance – This can help pay for food, canned goods, clothing, or essential items. This is for a disaster such as fire or medical crisis. Applicants will be given a pre-paid card to help pay for the items.

The council will review each application. As funds are limited by the government, families in Birmingham are not guaranteed to receive help or any type of award. Hundreds of families may receive assistance from this provision every year.