Cost Of Living Help & Advice

With the cost of living rising, many of us are feeling under financial pressure – but there is lots of support available to help you to cope with the increase in food prices, heating bills and the general rise in your cost of living.

Nehemiah Housing Association exists to provide affordable homes and a comfortable, supportive community for all our tenants across the West Midlands communities we serve.

We are here to support you and ensure you can stay in your home and maintain your tenancy with us. If you have any money worries or have fallen behind with your rent payments, contact your Housing Officer straightaway.

We can provide information on budget planning as well as refer you to specialist organisations like Birmingham Settlement for free advice on money and benefits.

Together, we will find a way to create a payment plan that works for you for paying your rent so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you want advice or have any money worries.

Money Saving Tips

To help reduce your household bills and ensure you are receiving the benefits you are entitled to, Nehemiah has put together some money saving tips:

• Check Benefit Eligibility: Ensure you aren’t missing out on Universal Credit or other support. Use the Turn2Us Benefits Calculator or EntitledTo.
• Create a Household Budget: Review your monthly spending to identify unused memberships or subscriptions you can cancel.
• Energy Efficiency: Turning your thermostat down by just 1°C can still save you a significant amount on annual bills. For 2025, Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis recommends “heating the human, not the home” with tools like electric blankets or reflective radiator panels.
• Appliance Upgrades: If you need to replace an appliance, look for the highest energy-rating labels (A or B) to lower long-term running costs

Help Available From The Government

• Household Support Fund (Extended to March 2026) The government has extended this fund to help vulnerable households with the cost of essentials like food and energy. Funding is distributed by your local council (e.g., Birmingham, Sandwell, or Wolverhampton), and eligibility varies by area. Contact your council to see if you can apply for a grant.
• Winter Fuel Payment (New Eligibility Rules) As of winter 2024/25, this is no longer a universal payment. To be eligible, you must be of State Pension age and receive a means-tested benefit, such as Pension Credit or Universal Credit. If eligible, you could receive between £200 and £300. Check your eligibility here.
• Warm Home Discount You may be entitled to a £150 rebate on your electricity bill between October and March. Most eligible households in England and Wales receive this automatically if they get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or are on a low income with high energy costs.
• Council Tax Support While the one-off £150 rebates from previous years have ended, you may still be eligible for Council Tax Reduction if you are on a low income or claim certain benefits. Some councils also offer a small additional “Support Fund” award for those already receiving reduction.

Ensure you are getting all the help you are entitled to

MoneyHelper: For free, clear, and impartial guidance on all money and pension choices, visit moneyhelper.org.uk.

Birmingham Settlement: We can refer you to this specialist organization for a full Benefit Check and advice on debt management. They can also help you negotiate reduced deduction rates if your benefits are being docked for debts.

Pension Tracing Service: Don’t lose out on money from a previous employer. Use the free Pension Tracing Service to find old pensions.

There is help for people and these websites below will be able to help you further.

Useful Websites and more information

Energy & Housing

• Warmer Homes West Midlands: Offers free energy advice and can help you access grants for insulation or boiler repairs.
• West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA): Updates on regional transport fare freezes and long-term housing initiatives.
• Citizens Advice Dudley & Wolverhampton: Specialist caseworkers for debt, housing, and benefits.

Food & Essentials

• Black Country Foodbank: Operates across Dudley and Wolverhampton. You will typically need a voucher from a professional (GP, social worker, etc.).
• Provision House (Dudley): Provides low-cost furniture, food, and home starter packs for those in crisis.

General Advice

• MoneyHelper: A government-backed service for clear, impartial money and pension advice.
• StepChange: The UK’s leading debt charity, offering free debt management plans.