More than 2,200 people have received benefits and debt advice from Sandwell Council during the Covid-19 pandemic – and anyone else in need of support is being urged to get in touch.
The council’s Welfare Rights Team is available to help anyone in need of advice on claiming benefits. There is also a debt advice line for anyone concerned about debt due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Leader of Sandwell Council Councillor Yvonne Davies said: “Staff in our Welfare Rights team are working really hard to assist people as they always do – but we know that at the moment, many people have financial worries and are in need advice on whether they may be eligible to claim benefits.
“I’ve been hearing about the work the team have been doing and it’s really inspiring.
“Many of the people they are helping have been furloughed, are out of work or suffer poor health, so it’s obviously a very worrying time for them.
“In recent weeks the team have assisted more than 2,200 people with debt advice, support with benefit claims and general advice on welfare rights and benefits.
“The calls they are getting are often from people who are in real need of assistance, either because they are ill or have lost their jobs.
“They are helping people with debt, offering assistance with Universal Credit claims, giving advice on getting a reduction in Council Tax and helping those who need food bank vouchers.
“The team can also help with appeals, overpayments and any other queries anyone may have about benefits or whether they may be eligible to make a claim.
“I would urge anyone who needs some advice about benefits to get in touch with them.”
The Welfare Rights team can be contacted online, by email to welfarerights_team@sandwell.gov.uk or by calling 0121 569 3158.
The team also runs a Covid-19 debt advice line for anyone concerned about a debt, which is available by calling 0121 569 5333.
