Support and Advice with Managing Money

If you are struggling with money, debt and to make ends meet, it can be hard to know where to turn for help.

There are lots of free advice services across Birmingham and nationally who can help you find the best way forward for you.

Connected Communities is Birmingham City Council's approach to ensure no one is left behind by:

Keeping support available locally
Making services easy to access
Working with trusted partners
Helping early, before problems get worse

There is support available through our trusted partners Citizen Advice Birmingham and Birmingham Settlement, for face-to-face benefits, debt and money advice.

Appointments are free, confidential and pre-booked only. Walk-ins cannot be seen on the same day.

To book a free appointment and find out more about the service, visit the Connected Communities webpage. Alternatively you can find support via:

Local library – Our staff will make a referral on your behalf to our partners to request an appointment.
If you are unable to visit one of our libraries, please call 0121 216 3030

Or visit our partner websites at:

Birmingham City Council offer a range of services and offers to support people who need advice, information and a helping hand with benefits.

Web

The Council’s website has a wide range of information about benefits that are available, as well as support that can be accessed if you need some help to understand which benefits you and your family can access.

Telephone

The council’s contact centre has 2 dedicated phones lines to provide support and help.

For information and advice about benefits – 0121 216 3030
For help with the cost of living crisis – 0121 303 1116

In person

At the council's walk-in customer advice centres you can get information, advice and support about benefits and other support. Details of the customer advice centres are available on the Council's webpages.

The Citizens Advice webpage has information about debt and solutions to debt problems.

Free debt advice is available online and via telephone from a number of providers.

StepChange Debt Charity- www.stepchange.org or 0800 138 1111

Advice, budget support and solutions to help you manage your debts.

Citizens Advice Web Chat - www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Free, independent, confidential and impartial debt advice through their web chat service

National Debtline - www.nationaldebtline.org

National Debtline offers free debt advice online through its Digital Advice tool, as well as web guides, fact sheets and sample letters.

Debt Advice Foundation - www.debtadvicefoundation.org or 0800 622 6121

Debt Advice Foundation is a national debt advice and education charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about debt.

PayPlan - www.payplan.com or 0800 280 2816

PayPlan’s online services include free, confidential online chat with debt help experts, a debt help request form, and a wealth of online resources.

To find face to face advice, a search facility is available via the Money Advice Service website on the debt advice locator webpage.

If you are struggling with your mental health, just summoning the energy to even think about tackling debt can be too hard. Similarly, being in debt can have a detrimental impact on your mental health.

The Money Saving Expert website has debt advice, help, support and info to those people struggling with debt and mental health and the people who care for them. The guide aims to make it easier for those struggling to understand debt and the steps they can take to tackle it.

Are you struggling with your home energy?

Better Housing Better Homes is a charity that works to reduce the number of people in fuel poverty and improve domestic warmth & wellbeing.

If you're worried about paying your energy bills, want to know how to make your home warmer, or need advice on accessing financial support, Better Housing Better Health is here to help. They work locally to improve residents' domestic warmth and well-being and improve the energy efficiency of your property.

Call their free phone line on 0800 107 0044 to get support or visit www.bhbh.org.uk for more information.

GAIN Service

In addition to the support services above, Birmingham City Council's Public Health and Adult Social Care commission the GAIN service.

GAIN (Guidance, Advice, Information, Network) is a support service available to adults aged 25+ with no dependent children living in Birmingham, including singles, couples and their pets.

Eligible applicants will be supported by our community-based advisors who will be able to offer them in-person, digital or telephone support with financial inclusion and money management. An advisor will help you gain a clear understanding of your finances, guiding you through the basics of money management and advising you on any financial support available. This extends to budgeting, debt advice and support, benefit applications & checks and work experience opportunities.

Along this GAIN can also support with:

Health and Wellbeing
Social, Community and Family Engagement
Digital Support
Accommodation
Over 65 specific support

You can fill out a self-referral form or you can refer on behalf of someone else: https://gainbirmingham.co.uk/make-a-referral/

Contact

Further information is available on the GAIN website. You can also contact GAIN by:
- Email: gain@citizensadvicemidmercia.org.uk
- Phone: 0121 289 7780

Last updated: 15/05/2024

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