Benefits advice

Benefits help from Brixton Advice Centre

OTHER SOURCES OF HELP AND ADVICE ON BENEFITS

BENEFIT CALCULATIONS

If you’re looking to find out how much benefits you are entitled to you can do a basic benefit calculation on the Entitledto or Turn2us websites. Turn2us also has a helpline to support you with using their services: 0808 802 2000 (Mon-Fri, 9-5). Calls are free from UK landlines and mobiles

ADVICE ON A NEW UNIVERSAL CREDIT CLAIM

Citizens Advice provides a service called ‘Help to Claim’ that can help work out if you can get Universal Credit, fill in the Universal Credit application, prepare for your first Jobcentre appointment, and check your first payment is correct

Their phone number is:  0800 144 8444 (Mon-Fri 8am to 6pm). Calls are free from UK landlines and UK mobiles

BENEFITS ADVICE FOR SINGLE PARENTS

Gingerbread is a charity that helps single parents. Their single parent helpline and website provide advice and information on a range of issues affecting single parents including: welfare benefits, child maintenance, contact and other family law issues. They also have an online forum and peer support groups which might be of interest

Their helpline number is: 0808 802 0925 (opening hours can be found here). Calls are free from UK landlines and UK mobiles

BENEFITS ADVICE FOR CARERS OF DISABLED CHILDREN

Contact is a charity that gives advice to families with disabled children. Their website and helpline provide advice and information issues including benefits for children and their carers, EHC plans and assessments, social care, and health services

Their helpline number is: 0808 808 3555 (Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5pm). Calls are free from UK landlines and UK mobiles. They also provide advice by email: helpline@contact.org.uk or via an online form

BENEFITS ADVICE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

Maternity Action is a charity giving advice on the rights of pregnant women, new mothers and their families on employment, social security and health care

They have an online form for maternity and parental rights at work and benefits, and advice phone lines for different areas of advice

For advice on rights at work and benefits (National except London), the number is 0808 802 0029 (Mon-Fri 10am-1pm). Calls are free from UK landlines and UK mobiles

For advice on rights at work and benefits (London only), the number is 0808 802 0057 (Mon-Fri 10am – 1pm except Weds). Calls are free from UK landlines and UK mobiles

For advice on NHS charging for maternity care, there is a specific online advice form and the advice number is 0808 800 0041 (Weds and Thurs 10am – 12 midday). Calls are free from UK landlines and UK mobiles

BENEFITS ADVICE FOR WORKING FAMILIES

Working Families is a charity giving advice on a wide range of subjects to support parents and carers, particularly about employment and benefits

Their helpline number is 0300 012 0312 (Mon – Fri 11am – 2pm). Calls cost the same as national calls. There is also an online advice form which is free to use

OTHER LOCAL SERVICES

Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth is a charity giving advice to residents of Merton and Lambeth on a range of issues including housing, benefits, employment and immigration. They link to extensive online advice as well as offer casework support

The advice line for Lambeth is 0800 254 0298 (10am – 4pm Mon-Fri).

There is also an Advice Contact Form for both Merton and Lambeth, and an email address for initial queries at informationsupport@caml.org.uk

Centre 70 is a charity providing support and advice about a range of issues including housing, benefits, debt, student finance, utilities and general family and consumer law in West Norwood

You can contact them for advice by emailing enquiries@centre70.org.uk or by calling 020 8670 0070. Email is preferred as phone lines are likely to be busy. Advice is free, impartial and confidential

USEFUL NATIONAL WEBSITES

Other sources of information and advice on benefits can be found from the national websites below:

  • Adviceguide (you can search this directory of advice services to find information on agencies who provide benefit, debt,  housing and immigration advice)
  • Age UK (advice on a range of issues including benefits,  for people age 55 and over)
  • Carers UK (for carers)
  • Contact (for families with disabled children)
  • Debt Advice Foundation (provides free debt advice which includes guides on benefit entitlement)
  • GOV.UK
  • Lambeth Larder (Information on local services in Lambeth who can provide emergency support including foodbanks as well as other services like advice, debt, and mental health support)
  • Money advice service (provides  free help on   debt and budgeting advice  and pensions. Money Advice Service will soon become MoneyHelper)
  • Turn2Us (on line benefit calculator to help identify thousands of pound of unclaimed benefit support)
  • Universal Credit information
  • Working Families (for advice on benefits for all families including help with child care costs)

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[updated and checked 25 Oct 2022]