The Income and Money Advice Service will be running Universal Credit roadshows between November 2023 and April 2024 as the Council steps up its preparation to support residents with the move to Universal Credit.

Universal Credit managed migration will affect both Council and private tenants who are currently receiving what is classed as a legacy benefit. The legacy benefits are:

  • Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
  • Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Child Tax Credits (CTC)
  • Working Tax Credits (WTC)
  • Income Support
  • Housing Benefit

If you are of working age and claim any of these benefits, you will receive a letter called a ‘Universal Credit Migration Notice’ from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) advising you to claim Universal Credit.

You won’t be moved automatically, so it’s important to act quickly, otherwise your benefits will stop.  The Council wants to help you prepare for moving to Universal Credit and our Income and Money Advice Service will be holding roadshows in libraries across the six towns to provide you with the support you need to migrate to Universal Credit.

Attending the roadshows will be an Early Intervention and Tenant Support Officer alongside an officer from the Council’s Welfare Rights Team.  The officers will look to support you in the following areas to prepare you for your Universal Credit claim:

  • Understanding Universal Credit, the claims process and what you need to do now
  • How to create an email account
  • How to access a bank account
  • Budgeting and debt support 
  • Cost of living support
  • Maximising your income
  • Paying your housing costs (rent)
  • How you can build a safety net and put your rent account in credit  

The roadshows will take place in libraries across the six towns of Sandwell between 10am and 12noon on the following dates: 

Oldbury
Wednesday 1st November Oldbury Library – Sandwell Council House, Freeth Street, Oldbury, West Midlands, B68 3DB
Saturday 4th November Bleakhouse Library - Bleakhouse Road, Oldbury, West Midlands, B68 9DS
Wednesday 7th February Oldbury Library – Sandwell Council House, Freeth Street, Oldbury, West Midlands, B68 3DB
Saturday 10th February Langley Library - Barrs Road, Oldbury, West Midlands, B68 8QT
West Bromwich
Wednesday 15th November Central Library - High Street, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B70 8DZ
Saturday 18th November  Hamstead Library - Tanhouse Centre, Hamstead Road, Great Barr, West Midlands, B43 5EL
Wednesday 21st February 

Central Library - High Street, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B70 8DZ

Saturday 24th February

Hill Top Library - Hill Top, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B70 0RZ

Smethwick
Wednesday 29th November Smethwick Library – High Street, Smethwick, West Midlands, B66 1AA
Saturday 2nd December Thimblemill Library – Thimblemill Road, Smethwick, West Midlands, B67 5RJ
Wednesday 6th March Smethwick Library – High Street, Smethwick, West Midlands, B66 1AA
Saturday 9th March Thimblemill Library – Thimblemill Road, Smethwick, West Midlands, B67 5RJ
Tipton
Wednesday 13th December Glebefields Library – St Marks Road, Tipton, West Midlands, DY4 0SZ
Saturday 16th December Great Bridge library – Sheepwash Lane, Tipton, West Midlands, DY4 7JF
Wednesday 20th March Tipton Library – Unity Walk, Owen Street, Tipton, West Midlands, DY4 8QL
Saturday 23rd March Great Bridge library – Sheepwash Lane, Tipton, West Midlands, DY4 7JF
Wednesbury
Wednesday 10th January Wednesbury Library – Walsall Street, Wednesbury, West Midlands, WS10 9EH
Saturday 13th January Stone Cross Library – Beverley Road, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B71 2LH
Wednesday 3rd April Wednesbury Library - Walsall Street, Wednesbury, West Midlands, WS10 9EH
Saturday 6th April Stone Cross Library – Beverley Road, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B71 2LH
Rowley Regis
Wednesday 24th January Blackheath Library – 145 High Street, Blackheath, West Midlands, B65 0EA
Saturday 27th January Cradley Heath Library – Upper High Street, Cradley Heath, West Midlands, B64 5JU
Wednesday 17th April Blackheath Library – 145 High Street, Blackheath, West Midlands, B65 0EA
Saturday 20th April Oakham Library – Poplar Rise, Oldbury, West Midlands, B69 1RD