Welfare rights - advice

Social Work offices can offer expert help in finding out about benefits, filling in forms, and in helping you deal with any problems; you can either call in, or make an appointment to see the duty Social Worker. Welfare Rights Officers are fully trained professional experts whose job is to support Social Work staff in contact with clients. They can offer expert representation at Tribunals if necessary.

Disabled people can get information from the Disability Benefits Helpline - tel. freephone 0800 88 22 00. They can send out claim forms for most Social Security benefits, and can offer help with form filling.

Not happy with a decision about your benefits?

Every year, many millions of decisions are made about Social Security benefits. People often feel that the wrong decision was made in their case. It is usually possible to seek a review of, or appeal against, a decision you are unhappy with. All the evidence is that a lot of people who do this win their cases. You are generally required to appeal within three months of the decision you think is wrong.

It helps if you get advice and assistance - and if necessary, representation. You can get appeal forms from local Social Work and Social Security offices.

It costs nothing to check with the Social Work Department or with an advice service to see if you are getting the right benefits, or if you are missing out.

Unhappy with the service from the Social Security Agency or the Council?

All Social Security offices have a Customer Services Manager who will help resolve any complaints you may have. For further information, or advice, or help to make a complaint, call in at a Social work office, library, or advice centre.