A warning has been sounded as new data reveals more than a quarter of Birmingham is already on or below the breadline. Children and pensioners in the poorest households are at risk of ill health this winter as the cost of existing escalates.
Birmingham City Council has declared an official state of emergency, the first place in the country to do so, and it is with good cause. Data compiled by Richard Brooks, the city council's Director of Strategy, Equality and Partnerships, has confirmed the unique challenges in the city, and the perilous state of finances in many households.
An estimated 300,000 of the city's 1.1 million inhabitants are already in poverty before rising energy bills kick in, with many surviving on low pay, insecure wages and benefits. Poverty is concentrated especially among those of Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage, who are also among those most affected by the two-child limit for Child Benefit and Universal Credit payments.
The city's poor and crumbling housing stock also leads to very high levels of fuel poverty, according to Mr Brooks' report to the city council this week, entitled Poverty and the Cost of Living Crisis in Birmingham.
Those on prepayment meters could be hit particularly hard, unable to spread the costs through the summer months, and more likely to keep the heating off in order to eat, the report says. High youth unemployment also blights the city, while thousands of people eligible for benefits are not claiming what they should.
In all, 27 of the city's 69 council wards are among the most deprived 10% of areas in the country. Some neighbourhoods suffer more than others, with Druids Heath and Monyhull worst affected.
Earlier this week city council leader Ian Ward warned that any local interventions would not be enough to help everyone survive - so a response of Covid pandemic proportions is needed, with all partners working together to save lives and target efforts at the most vulnerable. A multi-agency, cross party crisis team is being set up to oversee the response.
But there is help out there. These are some of the places you can get help.
Get immediate short term help
Apply for a Local Welfare Provision (LWP) grant, available for people in short-term crisis with food and essential items, including clothing. Community support grants are also offered to those who need essential furniture or white goods (cookers, fridges). For more details on how the scheme is operated, look at the Local Welfare Provision policy.
Those struggling to feed their fuel meters at home can also seek help if attempts to get support from their provider have already failed. Those eligible can collect a pre payment card.
Other places offering emergency and crisis help include:
Budget your money and pay the people you need to
Information on budgeting and paying your debts:
Manage rent, energy and TV licence debt
Information on how to deal with utility debt, including your television licence.
If you are on a low income you may be entitled to housing benefit. The council's online benefits calculator can give you an idea of how much benefit you may be entitled to.
If you are already claiming housing benefit but this does not cover your full rent you may be able to get additional short term assistance if you apply for discretionary housing payments. If you are behind on your mortgage payments your mortgage provider cannot take action against you until all other reasonable options have been explored. Contact your mortgage provider and discuss the situation with them. If you are a home owner you may be able to get some assistance towards the interest payments on your mortgage.
If your landlord is beginning eviction proceedings, seek help and check out these factsheets focussed on Rent Arrears and Eviction
Debt advice for tenants
This service is free of charge and is available to all Birmingham council tenants who are experiencing financial problems. The council can:
Access Food Banks
A network of cheap and free food outlets operate across the city. They include food banks operated by the Trussell Trust, which require a voucher which can be exchanged for three days of emergency food. Visit here to apply.
Get Fuel and Energy Support
LEAP - (Local Energy Advice Partnership) can provide help and advice with energy switching, free energy saving measures, money advice and check if you’re eligible for insulation, a new appliance or even a new boiler. Please call LEAP on 0800 060 7567 or apply for leap online.
ECHO - (Emergency Central Heating Offer) is a scheme that offers emergency assistance to fuel poor or vulnerable households (owner occupiers only) to repair or replace broken or condemned boilers.
CONNECTED FOR WARMTH- Connected for Warmth is funded by the Warm Homes Fund, a £150 million national fund provided by National Grid and administered by Affordable Warmth Solutions. Cadent are also contributing towards the cost of the heating systems. The scheme is run locally by AgilityEco in partnership with Birmingham City Council, installers and housing associations across the Cadent Gas area. It’s free for eligible households and can also provide a free connection to the gas main if required, ensuring that those in need can benefit from affordable heat and hot water. Apply for the Connected for Warmth scheme online, or call (free) on 0800 029 4547.
HEART is an initiative to support fuel poor and vulnerable households through the replacement of old, inefficient fridges, fridge/freezers, washing machines and electric cookers with modern, efficient alternatives.
ECO FLEX – (Energy Company Obligation Flexible Eligibility) is a government scheme which provides funding for energy efficiency improvements in the home such as a new central heating system, upgrades to the existing heating system and/or insulation. Energy Company Obligation (ECO) requires energy suppliers to set aside a fund to install energy saving measures. These help households cut their energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.
Find a job or training opportunity
Out of work or seeking a second job to help pay the bills? Visit the city council's dedicated web pages here for advice.
