Family Support

We know that families sometimes need extra support, and asking for help is a strength. This page brings together a range of local services and organisations that can offer advice, guidance and practical support for children, parents and carers. Whatever your family may be facing, we hope these resources help you find the right support when you need it.

Free School Meals

Your child may be eligible for free school meals if you meet the following criteria:-

* Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as

assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods);

  • Income Support;
  • Income-based Job Seekers Allowance;
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance;
  • Child Tax Credit (provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190);
  • Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999;
  • Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit;
  • Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit;

Walsall Housing Group

If you rent your home from Walsall Housing Group, they offer advice or support on several issues including rent, money issues and benefits.

You can find out more about how to contact them at:-

www.whg.uk.com or call them on 0300 555 6666.

Ablewell Advice Walsall

Ablewell Advice offer debt and benefit advice, including filling in PIP and Child Disability Allowance forms and can also offer benefit checks to ensure people are on the correct rates of benefits.

If you would like to make an appointment, they are located at: The Central Hall, Ablewell Street, Walsall WS1 2EQ. Their opening hours are: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30am-3pm.

They also operate a foodbank, which is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-2pm and Saturdays 11am – 1pm. Telephone: 01922 639700, email info@ablewelladvice.org.uk or access their website at www.ablewelladvice.org.uk.

Black Country Women’s Aid

Ablewell Advice offer debt and benefit advice, including filling in PIP and Child Disability Allowance forms and can also offer benefit checks to ensure people are on the correct rates of benefits.

If you would like to make an appointment, they are located at: The Central Hall, Ablewell Street, Walsall WS1 2EQ. Their opening hours are: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30am-3pm.

They also operate a foodbank, which is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-2pm and Saturdays 11am – 1pm. Telephone: 01922 639700, email info@ablewelladvice.org.uk or access their website at www.ablewelladvice.org.uk.

The Trussell Trust

Support a nationwide network of food banks and together we provide emergency food and support to people locked in poverty, and campaign for change to end the need for food banks in the UK.

Schools, churches, businesses and individuals donate non-perishable, in-date food to a food bank. Large collections often take place as part of seasonal celebrations such as harvest and Christmas, and food is also collected at supermarkets.

Volunteers sort food to check that it’s in date and store it ready to be given to people who are referred to food banks in crisis. More than 40,000 people give up their time to volunteer at food banks across the UK.

Food banks partner with a wide range of care professionals such as doctors, teachers, health visitors and social workers to identify people in crisis and give them a food bank voucher to access emergency food.

People bring their voucher to a food bank centre where it can be redeemed for three days’ emergency food. Volunteers welcome people and offer them further support to help resolve the crisis they face.

Call for free to talk confidentially to a trained Citizens Advice adviser on: 0808 208 2138

(open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm)

They can help address your crises and provide support to maximise your income, help you navigate the benefits system, and identify any additional grants you could be entitled to. If needed, they’ll issue you with a voucher so you can get an emergency food parcel from your local food bank.