Information & Guidance Helpsheet

This information is not just for people who are on benefits. If you are on a low wage or struggling financially, many of these agencies will consider your application.

GAS OR ELECTRICITY

If you’re on a low waged income or benefits and you have a GAS OR ELECTRICITY DEBT, help may be available through a UTILITY TRUST FUND to clear the debt and start you on an affordable payment plan.

Contact your utility provider or look for the trust fund application form on their website.

Most trust fund providers state that you have to have taken budgeting guidance from an organisation such as ours before you can apply. Contact us for a budgeting appointment.

WATER

CHEAPER WATER from Severn Trent Water Authority BIG DIFFERENCE SCHEME or South Staffs Water WATER-SURE TARIFF.

Contact your water provider to see if you are eligible. (It’s not just for people on benefits, if you have a low income you may qualify.) Reductions range from 10% - 90% off the average yearly charge.

Need a WASHING MACHINE but can’t afford to buy one? Apply to STWA Trust Fund to see if they can help you with one..

STAFFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL – HELP WITH COUNCIL TAX DEBTS

Get in touch with Stafford Borough Council if you have a council tax debt or if bailiffs are collecting and are worried about how to pay it – telephone 01785 619279.

Bailiffs collecting Council Tax debts can be worrying if you do not have the money to pay them straight away. If bailiffs have called at your home and you need help to negotiate an affordable payment plan get in touch with us. If you’re a vulnerable person, bailiffs should treat you with greater care, including giving you more time to respond to letters or demands.

You can use the barcode on the letters that they have sent you to make regular affordable payments at a Pay Point.

If you are worried about council tax debts or any debts, we can refer you to Penk Moneywise (Penkridge) to look at your options for dealing with your debts.

STAFFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL – HELP WITH COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION

If you can’t afford to pay your council tax because you have a reduced wage, statutory sick pay (SSP), or have started claiming benefits - telephone Stafford Borough Council 01785 619478 to ask them to send you a council tax reduction claim form. The claim can be made electronically or by post.

STAFFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL - DISCRETIONARY PAYMENTS - GETTING EXTRA HELP WITH PAYING YOUR RENT AND/OR COUNCIL TAX

If you are struggling to pay the bedroom tax and the shortfall on your council tax payments, help may be available through Stafford Borough Council’s discretionary payments. These are not payments of benefit or support, but separate payments made at the council's discretion in cases where it is considered that extra help with rent and/or council tax is needed. Contact us to book an appointment to find out more about this.

SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE COUNCIL - HELP WITH COUNCIL TAX

If changes to your income mean you cannot afford to pay your Council Tax, you can apply for Council Tax Support, which is a discount that is applied directly to your Council Tax account.

SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE COUNCIL – HELP WITH BENEFITS

If you are already receiving Council Tax Support and your income has changed, you can email benefits@sstaffs.gov.uk with the details and attach any evidence you have.

To make a new application online go to Council Tax Support: https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/benefits/housing-benefit-and-council-tax-support

If you are unable to apply online or would like to discuss any of this in more detail, call the Benefits team at South Staffordshire Council - tel: 01902 696668