It is a good idea to check you are receiving all the benefits to which you are entitled.

Benefit Enquiry Line

If you are not sure what you are entitled to you can contact the Benefit Enquiry Line for advice and information.

The Benefit Enquiry Line gives general advice on benefits, and is a telephone advice and information service you can call if you are sick or disabled or if you are caring for someone and acting on their behalf, before you have made a claim. The person taking your call will not have your personal papers but will be able to give you general advice.

Benefits Enquiry Line 
2nd Floor
Red Rose House
Lancaster Road
Preston
Lancashire
PR1 1HB

Freephone: 0800 882 200
Textphone: 0800 243 355
Email: BEL-Customer-Services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
Web: www.direct.gov.uk/disability-money
Opening hours Monday to Friday 8.30am - 6.30pm, Saturday 9am - 1pm

Enquiries relating to a specific benefit claim should be directed to the office dealing with your claim.

Types of benefits

Carer's Allowance

The main benefit for people looking after a family member or friend who is ill or disabled.
Information about eligibility and how to make a claim is available from:

Carers’ Allowance Unit
Palatine House
Lancaster Road
Preston
Lancashire
PR1 1HB

Tel: 0845 608 4321
Textphone: 0845 604 5312
Fax: 01772 899 354
Email: cau.customer-services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
Web: www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/help-with-money/benefits-a-tax-credits/carers-allowance
Opening Hours Monday to Thursday 8.30am - 5pm and Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm

Disability Living Allowance

For disabled people under 65 who find it difficult to care for themselves. You need to have lived in Great Britain for at least 26 of the last 52 weeks and have an unrestricted right to live in Great Britain.
Web: http://www.oxoncarers.org.uk/wps/wcm/connect/occ/Carers/Rights+and+benefits/

Attendance Allowance

This is paid if:

• you need help to look after yourself
• you are aged 65 or over
• attendance Allowance is paid at different rates depending on whether you need care during the day, during the night, or both.

To claim, you will have needed help for at least the last six months unless you have a terminal illness, when the benefit is paid immediately.

Direct payments

Direct payments are cash payments Oxfordshire County Council may be able to provide instead of giving you a service.

Income Support and Pension Credit

For people with either no income or incomes below minimum levels set by the Government.
Web: www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/help-with-money/benefits-a-tax-credits/other-benefits

Pension Credit

A means-tested benefit paid to a person where they or their partner are of the 'qualifying age'. For information, contact the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234 (or 0800 100 6165 in Northern Ireland)
Web: www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/help-with-money/benefits-a-tax-credits/carer-benefits-for-pensioners

Employment and Support Allowance

Incapacity Benefit is for those who are unable to work because of illness or disability.

Note: Incapacity Benefit has been replaced by a new benefit called Employment and Support Allowance since 27 October 2008. If youhave been in receipt of Incapacity Benefit since before 27 October 2008 you will continue to receive it for the time being. If you have previously been in receipt of Incapacity Benefit within the last two years you may be able to reclaim it, depending on your circumstances.

To claim, telephone: 0800 055 6688
Textphone: 0800 023 4888

For more information contact Jobcentre plus office, or the Benefits Enquiry Line or go to the Direct Gov website.

Working Tax Credit

To claim, you should be more than 25 and work for at least 30 hours a week. To claim the tax credits and for more information, contact the Inland Revenue's helpline on: 0845 300 3900 (0845 603 2000 in Northern Ireland).
Web: http://www.carersuk.org/Information/Financialhelp/WorkingTaxCredit

Child Tax Credit

This is for people looking after a child under 16 (or under 19 in education). The amount you get depends on your income and personal circumstances. For more information, contact the Inland Revenue's helpline on: 0845 300 3900 (0845 603 2000 in Northern Ireland).
Web: http://www.carersuk.org/Information/Financialhelp/ChildTaxCredit

Council Tax Benefit

Some carers may get a discount in their Council Tax.
Web: www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/help-with-money/help-with-household-finances/council-tax/council-tax-benefit

Housing Benefit

Helps people on a low income to pay their rent.
Web: http://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/help-with-money/help-with-household-finances/housing-benefit

Job Seekers' Allowance

For people who are unemployed or work part-time and are expected to find full-time work.
Web: http://www.carersuk.org/Information/Financialhelp/JobseekersAllowance

Disability Benefits – once you have made a claim

You can get advice on Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance claims from the Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance Helpline, who should have access to your records.
Tel: 08457 123 456
Textphone: 08457 22 44 33

You can also use the RNID Text Relayservice.
The helpline is open from 7.30am - 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Email: DCPU.Customer-Services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Explaining a benefit decision

If you would like someone to explain a decision relating to your claim for Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance, you can also contact the helpline. Staff will help you understand the reasons why the decision was made.

If you are unhappy with a benefits decision, and want it to be looked at again, the letter informing you of the decision should tell you what to do next. There is usually a time limit given for your reply.

If you want to complain about how a benefits claim has been handled, contact the benefits office dealing with the claim. Start by contacting the person you dealt with, or that person’s manager. You can ask for the office’s complaints leaflet and customer charter. If the problem is not resolved, contact the office manager at the office dealing with your claim.

They aim to respond within seven working days and the reply should tell you what you should do if you are still not happy. You should not be treated any differently because you have complained.

You can also contact your Member of Parliament who may be able to send your complaint to the Ombudsman.

Related factsheet

• New to caring

Other contacts

Carers’ UK
The voice of carers – advice line 0808 808 7777 (Wednesday and Thursday 10am - 12pm and 2pm - 4pm).
Email: adviceline@carersuk.org

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