There are a range of options if to help you with council tax.
We’ve been given government funding as part of the Household Support Fund. Find out how it could help you here:
Discretionary Housing Payments are extra payments to help you pay your rent. We give these payments to people claiming benefits that need help with their housing costs.
You can apply for a payment if you are currently entitled to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit. How much you could receive depends on your circumstances. We review each each application but cannot guarantee we will give you a payment.
Are you a council tenant and having trouble paying your rent or concerns for future payments? Call 0300 555 0010 between 9 and 5 for advice and support, including council tax payments.
If you are a private tenant, we can provide advice for issues like repairs, or if you've received a notice to leave the tenancy.
We can look at any benefits you are on and check to see if there any others you should be getting.
The service also offers energy saving advice and tips that we all need to follow whilst energy is so costly.
Citizens Advice offer guidance if you can't afford to top up your prepayment meter.
Alternative funding is available for households who were not eligible for the government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS). This provided a £400 reduction on electricity and gas bills.
This alternative funding supports those who live in households without a domestic electricity meter or do not have a direct relationship with an energy supplier.
You may be eligible to apply if your main home is:
You do not need to apply if you or your landlord:
To find out more search 'Apply for energy bill support' into the search bar on GOV.UK or an internet search engine, or contact the GOV.UK helpline team.
The Alternative Fuels Payment (AFP) scheme launched on 6 February. It provides support for households across Great Britain who don’t use mains gas. Those who are eligible will receive £200 towards their energy bills.
Most people will get this £200 payment automatically. It will appear as credit on your electricity bill.
However some customers will need to apply for support later this month. The application process will open later in March.
Please note: any direct request for your bank details from any individual or organisation is very likely a scam. These should not be responded to.
The West Midlands Fire Service have put together a page full of top tips. These can help you stay fire safe while you're trying to reduce the cost of heating or lighting your home.
Multiply is a new government funded programme to help adults learn maths skills for life and work.
If you are aged 19 and over and don't have a maths GCSE at grade C or above, or an equivalent qualification, then you can join a free maths course through Multiply.
We have free courses to help you build your confidence and ability. The focus is on having fun with numbers and learning practical skills to manage budgets and to support you to:
On our free courses we can also offer debt advice or referral to specialist debt services if required.
Courses are free and offered in the classroom and online. You will need to register with us so that we can identify if it is the right course for you.
For more information, please call 01384 818143 or email: acl@dudley.gov.uk
If you are unable to meet the cost of water charges and live in the Severn Trent area you can apply for help. You may qualify for a reduction of between 10 to 90% of your bill.
The Big Difference Scheme can offer a reduction of water bills to any Severn Trent customer with a household income below £16,480.
The Assure Tariff can help customers who are on a low income or struggling to pay their water charges. It aims to reduce water poverty and make bills more affordable. If your household income is less than £19,050 per year, you may qualify.
The South Staffordshire Water Charitable Trust is a registered and independent charity. It helps customers who are facing difficulties or distress pay their bills. If you are having problems paying your bill, please read through their website and see whether the Trust may be able to help you .
When it’s cold and wet, saving water may not be at the forefront of your mind. However, by joining Get Water Fit and taking a quiz, you can get a personalised plan of easy wins and order water-saving gadgets. One of the newest features is live video chat, so you can get advice and support, when you need it.
Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. These offers are sometimes called 'essential' or 'basic' broadband by the providers. They're delivered in the same way as regular packages, just at a lower price.
Black Country Connected is a programme to loan residents in the Black Country a Geobook Laptop with an option to receive connectivity to enable them to access information such as health and social care, well-being sites, general information sites, educational/college sites, social media and online shopping. Users can also connect with people/organisations via email, video call and apps.
Dudley Libraries are offering people the chance to get a free SIM card. They are being offered at all library branches across the borough.
You can qualify if you are on a low income and are over 18 years old.
The mobile phone operators available via this offer are Vodaphone, O2 and Three.
To find out more, visit your local library or go to National Databank website.
Or contact Dudley Libraries Partnership Manager Stephanie Rhoden
Dudley residents who enrol on a course with Adult and Community Learning may qualify for a free SIM.
The SIM can be used to get free mobile data. With this you can access the internet, emails and other online services as well as texts and phone calls.
(This offer is provided by the National Databank and the Good Things Foundation)