Advice and Benefits

Welcome to the Advice and Benefits section of the website. In this section we aim to provide information on a range of services to help individuals and families deal with the many issues of everyday life. This section includes a wide range of information from benefits, how to pay your council tax online, to available grants and trading standards. Find out about Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, which are social security benefit schemes to help pay for rent and council tax. They are assessed and paid by local councils. Other social security benefits are assessed and paid by the Department of Work and Pensions.

Use the links on the left to find the information you need. You may also find further useful information using the links below.

Useful Links

• Department for Work and Pensions - The Department for Work and Pensions provides a range of benefits to promote opportunity and independence for all through modern, customer-focused services.
• Jobcentreplus - Provides an integrated service to people of working age. It offers help to people looking to move into work and support for people who can't. Jobcentre Plus also provides a range of services to help employers fill their vacancies quickly.
• DirectGov - Provides information from across UK government departments on topics ranging from travel safety and parental leave to special educational needs and local NHS services.
• Citizens Advice Bureau - Helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice.
• Business Link West Midlands - Provides impartial and expert information, support and advice needed to help businesses develop and make them more successful.
• Trading Standards - Provides a one stop shop for consumer protection information in the UK.
• Grant Information - GRANTfinder is the UK's leading searchable database on EU and UK Government grants and loans, charitable trusts and corporate sponsors.