The latest Household Support Fund (HSF-4) commenced recently, but the organiser, the BVSC, suspended it on October 2nd, due to the large number of claims it received.
HSF-4 offers a £200 government grant to those that have not received an HSF payment in the last 12 months & receive certain benefits, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, i-ESA, i-JSA, Tax Credits and others.
The scheme is scheduled to run until March 31st, 2024.
Those eligible can complete an online enquiry form at:
https://hsfbirmingham.online/enquiry/
Alternatively, please ask Bloomsbury’s Reception (0121 464 1550) for its customised paper claim form to be sent you.
Need help and advice with the cost of living crisis?
Whether you are working, claiming benefits or a combination of both our Financial Inclusion Team are here to support you.
Rent and arrears collection can be a difficult subject – if tenants do not pay their rent, we cannot provide a service. Changes to welfare, including the proposed changes to all benefits in the form of Universal Credit means that these are challenging times for our resident customers. However, nearly everyone is striving to pay their rent – thank you, it really is appreciated. No one wants to hear from us about unpaid rent but early intervention can help and stop things from getting worse. Bloomsbury’s specialist income management team offers an accessible service, including appointments and home visits.
COVID 19
Our services have changed to adapt to the current situation but we are still working and will respond to all enquiries as soon as we can. Call us 01214641550 or contact us via the GET IN TOUCH link (below right) with information regarding your enquiry. We are here to help 😀
BRUM ACCOUNT
Register to pay and manage your rent account on line and many more services with a Brum account - Register Here
We collect the rent on behalf of Birmingham City Council. There are many ways to pay your rent including using your payment card, or by setting up a direct Debit, of via the internet. We do not take payments in the office. If you need to discuss the best method of payment, please contact a member of the team who will provide you with more information. The best way to pay your rent is to set up a direct debit. That way you know your rent will be paid on time. Please come to the office in Medway Tower. We will set one up for you. (Please book an appointment)
You may be entitled to some form of Benefit. We will be able to advise you about that and if needed will help you as much as possible with Benefit advice. However it is your responsibility to ensure that you put in your claim for any benefits that could be paid to you.
Part of our role is also to collect any rent arrears that are owed. We will try to contact people in arrears as soon as possible before any arrears become unmanageable. The important thing to remember is that we are here to help. If your circumstances change you need to tell us. If you get into arrears, please talk to us. We can reach an agreement for you to clear them in stages. However we do strongly advise customers not to neglect your responsibility. We will take legal action, up to and including eviction against tenants who do not pay their rent. This will be in line with Birmingham City Council’s arrears protocol.
We can offer help and advice with -Checking Benefit entitlements for
Attendance Allowance
Carer’s Allowance
Child Benefit
Council Tax Support
Council Tax Discretionary Payment (CTDP)
Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Universal Credit
Universal Credit – difficulty signing in?
Other Benefit Advice-
Benefit Cap and how to avoid it
Housing Benefit if you go abroad
Marriage Allowance
Universal Credit – non-dependant cost
Winter Benefits
Debts and trust funds-
Debts
Rent Arrears
Trust Funds
Please see further details below regarding the above headings.
You can check your general benefit entitlement online:
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Extra-help-when-entering-work
& choose “start calculation” at the top of the screen.
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a severe disability. It is paid at 2 different rates and how much you receive depends on the level of care that you need because of your disability.
You could receive help with personal support if you are both:
· physically or mentally disabled · State Pension age or older
You could receive Carer’s Allowance if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they receive certain benefits. https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance
You receive Child Benefit if you are responsible for one or more children under 16 (or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training). There is no limit to how many children you can claim for.
Please notify the Bloomsbury EMB Rent Team (0121 464 1550) if your Child Benefit changes.
Council Tax Support is a benefit to help people who are on a low income or claiming certain benefits to help pay some of their Council Tax bill. If you apply for Universal Credit, you should apply for Council Tax Support separately.
New Council Tax Support applications can be made online at:
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/benefitsnewclaims
Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit & change of circumstance forms can be completed online at:
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20017/benefits_and_support/376/
After benefits have been awarded, if you are struggling financially, you may wish to apply for a sort-term discretionary top-up onto housing costs support and Council Tax Support by using the following online form:
DHP is a top-up on your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs. It is for tenants who are on a low income or subject to the bedroom tax or benefit cap. It is meant as short-term help and as it is discretionary, there is no guarantee of an award.
You can apply online via:
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20017/benefits_and_support/
and click on “Extra help with your Housing Costs” towards the bottom of the webpage.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for disabled people.
You CAN ONLY apply for DLA if you are UNDER 16 years old.
You can apply for PIP if you’re aged 16 or over and have not reached State Pension age or Attendance Allowance if you are over State Pension age.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long term ill-health or disability.
Universal Credit replaces:
· Child Tax Credit
· Housing Benefit
· Income Support
· income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
· income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
· Working Tax Credit
For more details use this government website: Universal Credit: What Universal Credit is - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Applicants need to type a breakdown of their net rent and service charge on the Universal Credit Housing Costs screen and note Bloomsbury’s 4 rent free weeks.
Applicants should apply for Council Tax Support separately.
Universal Credit and the self-employed:
If entitled, you can apply for Universal Credit online at:
https://www.universal-credit.service.gov.uk/postcode-checker
If you have a partner, you will both need to register.
Universal Credit is paid 5 weeks after you apply and then every month after that.
You can request an interest free loan or Payment Advance soon after you apply.
Universal Credit replaces JSA, ESA, Income Support, Tax Credits and Housing Benefit and those benefits will cancel almost immediately after you apply and you will receive them in with your Universal Credit instead.
If you have been working, it is usually best to apply at least a day after your wage was last paid
(if you do so before, the wage will be taken into account in the assessment period).
On Universal Credit for housing costs, you need to type in your
Net rent and
Service charge separately
And note 4 rent free weeks.
(Note your rent changes in April - you will need to input new amounts on or after the date)
If you have difficulty logging into your Universal Credit you should click on Problems signing in? on the login page and follow the instructions.
If you still have difficulty because you have blocked your account, try telephoning Universal Credit on 0800 328 5644 early on - 8am-9am or late on - 5pm-6pm (opening times are usually Monday-Friday 8am-6pm)
Another option is to use the Universal Credit text number 0800 328 1344, giving your name, username, email address and National Insurance number stating that you need help accessing your account. Request a PSN (Personal Security Number) if required.
You can only usually receive housing benefit for up to 4 weeks if you go abroad. In a few situations you can get housing benefit for longer than this.
It counts as going abroad if you go anywhere outside England, Scotland or Wales. Travel to Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man counts as going abroad.
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/housing_benefit_while_away_from_home
The Marriage Allowance could reduce your tax bill by £250 a year.
How it works The Marriage Allowance lets you transfer £1,250 of your Personal Allowance to your husband, wife or civil partner - if they earn more than you.
This reduces their tax by up to £250 in the tax year (6 April to 5 April the next year).
To benefit as a couple, you (as the lower earner) must normally have an income below your Personal Allowance.
The Marriage Allowance is not classed as a Public Fund.
For more details use this government website:
Housing cost contributions are deductions made from the housing element of your universal credit claim for non-dependants who live with you and are expected to contribute to your rent. https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/universal_credit_housing_cost_contributions
Winter Benefit - Cold Weather Payment
https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment
Winter Benefit - Warm Home Discount Scheme
https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
Winter Benefit - Winter Fuel Payment
For debts such as Council Tax, please seek advice from a debt advice agency, such as Birmingham Settlement in Aston (0121 250 0777) http://www.birminghamsettlement.org.uk/
or
National Debtline (0808 808 4000), whom offers telephone advice and have a range of helpful factsheets on its website.
For rent arrears, please telephone the Rent Officer at Bloomsbury EMB on 0121 464 1550.
TRUST FUNDS:
If you need Help towards fuel bills or other items, the following have Trust Funds:
The Turn2us website has a list of Trust Funds for individuals:
National Zakat Foundation – If you are a Muslim in need of support, Zakat given through NZF may be able to help:
If you have utility debts (electric, gas, water) the companies below have independent trust funds where you can claim financial help online. If you have other suppliers, please check with the company concerned.
British Gas
https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/
E.ON and EDF
https://forms.lets-talk.online/Login
Severn Trent Water
In addition, the following has more links on page 3:
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/lwp
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