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123RF DWP has paid back £209.3m in State Pension underpayments since January 2021 The correction exercise New figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that £209.3 million in State Pension underpayments have been repaid to 31,817 pensioners since the correction exercise began in January 2021 and the end of October 2022. Those who have been underpaid include some pensioners who were married and should have received an upgraded State Pension, people who were widowed and the over-80s. The new DWP figures show that arrears payments made to married women average £6,929, for widowed pensioners it averages £10,772 and for those over 80, £3,172. Mostly women While the check and correction exercise affect mostly women, some men may have been underpaid too. One ...

123RF Loan sharks A loan shark is someone who runs a money lending business without permission from the Financial Conduct Authority. Loan Sharks rarely, if ever, give any paperwork and if payments are missed, they often use intimidation and violence to get money from their ‘clients’. Help and guidance We can provide help and guidance if you have: Been offered a cash loan Been threatened when you couldn’t pay Had your bank card been taken from you as ‘security’ A debt which keeps growing even though you’re making payments If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing any of the above or has any knowledge of loan shark activities you can contact us in confidence. We take your privacy very seriously. Contact us We can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a...

123RF Cost-of-living crisis The cost-of-living crisis has made it much more difficult for many people to afford food. If this is something you are experiencing, there are several information points below which can help. Foodbanks: We know that accessing foodbanks or other projects for the first time can be dauting. However, the volunteers do their utmost to make visitors feel welcome. With one visitor saying: “It was just a small personal touch that made you feel welcome and, on the occasions, where I was on a tiny budget, it also felt like somebody did care that times were tough.” To find a foodbank or other food support please visit https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/foodhelp Healthy Start card If you are 10 weeks pregnant or more, have a child under four years old, o...