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Help for older people in Birmingham

All the help for older people in Birmingham, on one page.

Why this page might help

Why this page? In Birmingham, the council handles Council Tax help, the crisis fund and Blue Badges, and Transport for West Midlands handles bus passes. We've put them on one page.

Start here

Pension Credit can also bring Council Tax Reduction and Cold Weather Payments.

Check Pension Credit

Council Tax Reduction for pensioners in Birmingham

We could not confirm the pension-age savings limit. Ask Birmingham City Council: what's the savings limit for pension-age Council Tax Reduction?

Birmingham City Council

Who handles this: Birmingham City Council. Each council runs its own scheme.

I own my home. Can I still get it?

Yes. You can apply if you own your home, rent, are unemployed or working.

Last checked 12 Oct 2026

Birmingham City Council

Apply for Council Tax Support

Crisis and Resilience Fund

Open now. It sometimes pauses when the waiting list is full.

Fill in the enquiry form (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9am–11am). The team will contact you to finish the application, which may take 4 to 6 weeks. Check progress on the automated line 0121 634 7100. Support line: 0121 303 9944. You can't apply again until 366 days after your last payment.

Birmingham City Council

Who handles this: Birmingham City Council.

Is the Household Support Fund still running?

No. It's now called the Crisis and Resilience Fund. Same money from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), new name.

Birmingham City Council

Do I have to pay it back?

No. It's a grant, paid into your bank account. It won't affect your other benefits.

Birmingham City Council

Can it pay my heating?

Yes. It's mainly for food, and for energy bills for any heating, cooking or lighting fuel, including oil or bottled gas. It can also pay for a boiler service or repair. On a prepayment meter? Email crf@bvsc.org for extra help.

Birmingham City Council

Last checked 12 Oct 2026

Birmingham City Council

See if you can apply

Birmingham bus pass for older people

Transport for West Midlands issues the pass, not the council.

One pass covers Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

Who handles this: Transport for West Midlands.

What age?

State Pension age depends on your date of birth. Check yours on GOV.UK.

Can I travel before 9:30am?

In the West Midlands it's free on buses and Blue Zone trains from 9.30am to 11.59pm, and on trams from 9.30am to the last service. Elsewhere in England: 9.30am to 11pm on weekdays, all day at weekends and on public holidays.

Transport for West Midlands

Can someone travel with me?

We could not confirm whether a companion can travel free with you. Ask Transport for West Midlands.

Transport for West Midlands

Can I apply early?

We could not confirm whether you can apply before State Pension age. Ask Transport for West Midlands. State Pension age depends on your date of birth. Check yours on GOV.UK.

Transport for West Midlands

Last checked 12 Oct 2026

Transport for West Midlands

Transport for West Midlands

Birmingham Blue Badge

Apply for or renew a Blue Badge with Birmingham City Council.

Who handles this: Birmingham City Council.

How long does it take?

Birmingham usually decides within 10 working weeks. Once you've paid, the badge arrives in 7 to 10 working days.

Birmingham City Council

What if I'm refused?

You can appeal.

Appeal against a Blue Badge application decision

When do I renew?

Apply at least 13 weeks before your badge runs out. Badges are not renewed automatically, and you'll need up-to-date medical evidence. Can't apply online? Call 0121 738 2656.

Birmingham City Council

Last checked 12 Oct 2026

Birmingham City Council

Get free help with your Blue Badge application

Birmingham City Council's Blue Badge page

HelpAlert watch on an older person's wrist

A watch that calls for help

Just back from hospital, caring for someone, or worried about a fall? Press the button on this GPS fall detection watch to call for help.

HelpAlert alarms are monitored 24/7 by our UK team.

You can try the watch first.

Start a free trial

Useful? Bookmark this page — we check it every month so it stays up to date.

Not your area?

How we built this page

Every fact here comes from an official page, linked next to it: Birmingham City Council, GOV.UK, Transport for West Midlands and the NHS. We checked every link and quote on 12 Oct 2026. Where we could not confirm something, we give you the number to call and what to ask.

Spotted something out of date? Email careteam@helpalert24.co.uk

We check this page every month.