Later Life Planning Service
- Location: Age UK Barnet
- Price: Free
Please note, this service is not available outside Age UK Barnet - Head Office's catchment area.
Email: laterlifeplanners@ageukbarnet.org.uk
Telephone: 020 8432 1417
Our information and advice service helps older people living in Barnet to manage and plan for the challenges that ageing brings, whilst retaining independence, choice and control in their lives.
Our advisers specialise in giving information and advice to Barnet residents over the age of 55 on matters relating to welfare benefits, accessing care, support and disability adaptation, accessing housing advice, grants, health services and consumer affairs.
The Later Life Planning Service welcomes professional referrals from the local authority and other statutory agencies as well as other local community and voluntary organisations (see professional referral form below). It also welcomes self referrals from individuals who can call us on 020 8432 1417 or email laterlifeplanners@ageukbarnet.org.uk
Topics we cover
Our advisers are trained to help you on the following topics.
• Social care - such as getting some help at home, and how it's funded.
• Your income - including free benefits checks, help with applying for benefits, and personal grants for essential items.
• Your home - for instance, information on staying warm at home, home adaptations and how to get help from your gas an electricity provider.
• Legal issues - we can provide information about Wills, Power of Attorney, and how to deal with an estate. Please note that it’s beyond our remit to assist with filling in legal forms, setting up Wills and Power of Attorney and giving advice on legal related issues.
• Helping you to apply for small grant funding for essential items
The Age UK Barnet team is not able to provide:
• Debt advice
• Financial advice
• Immigration advice
• Legal advice
• Will writing and setting up Power of Attorney
How to access the service
Our helpline 020 8432 1417 open Monday - Thursday from 10.00 - 13.00. If you call outside this hour, or if the line is busy when you call, please leave a voice message stating clearly your name, telephone number and the reason/s for your call.
Alternatively, please email us at laterlifeplanners@ageukbarnet.org.uk
Phone number: 020 8432 1417
Email: laterlifeplanners@ageukbarnet.org.uk
On Fridays, there will be no telephone advice so please leave a message or call Age UK's 24-hour national helpline on 0800 678 1602.
Professional referrals to this scheme:
Useful links and organisations
From a list of local food banks to benefits advice and where to go if you're struggling to pay your bills...
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/barnet/our-services/information-and-advice/useful-links/
Age UK Barnet Services
The Later Life Planner advice service works with all our services including our handyperson service, our befriending services, our scams prevention team and our dementia hub. See our website to find out more about our services.
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/barnet/our-services/
Drop-in advice clinics at Chipping Barnet Library
Are you struggling financially? The Age UK Barnet advice team will be giving benefit checks, pension credit checks and winter fuel payment advice. On the first and third Tuesday of the month, there's a drop in from 10am-1pm and bookable appointments in the afternoon (you need to book during the morning drop in).
Information related to your finances, including your income (State Pension, workplace or private pension etc), savings, capital, rent, services charges and existing benefit claims are required for benefits check. It would be helpful to bring along your (and your partner’s) last 2 months' bank statements, documents related to your capital and investments, Council Tax bill, benefits letter, rent and service charge statements.
Takes place at Chipping Barnet Library, 3 Stapylton Rd, Barnet EN5 4QT
Resident and Household Support fund
Our Household Support Fund is now closed but Barnet residents who are struggling to afford household essentials such as paying for food, energy bills and other living costs can apply for financial assistance through the Resident and Household Support Fund. Link below.
https://www.barnet.gov.uk/benefits-grants-and-financial-advice/resident-and-household-support-funds