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Information and Advice

Our expert team are on hand to offer free and impartial help and advice on a range of issues that affect older people.

"I can't think what I would have done without you. I never expected such wonderful support and kindness."

Information and Advice client

Call us today on 01245 346 106

Our locally funded free Information and Advice service is available 10 am to 3 pm. Please note: the service is closed on Wednesdays, over the weekend and on bank holidays. If the service is receiving a high level of calls or closed, you will be given the option to speak to our partners at Age UK National.

The Age UK Essex Information and Advice service is a free, impartial and confidential advice service for anyone aged 50 or over, their friends, family, professionals and carers.

How we can help you

Our Information and Advice Service makes asking for help easy. Our team of professional advisors are only a phone call away and are fully trained to offer help and advice on a huge range of issues that affect older people.

Our advisors can help you confidently navigate some of the most difficult questions and situations that arise in later life and are experts in giving you the support you need. Some of the most common concerns we’re asked for help with include;

  • Benefits Our team can offer assistance and advice on many aspects of welfare benefits including support to help you claim benefits, benefit checks to ensure you are claiming what you are entitled to and information about how to appeal against decisions regarding benefits.
  • Housing We can provide you with details on housing options, possible adaptations to help you remain in your home and how to get help with heating costs.
  • Social care Speak to us if you need to know what statutory and non-statutory social care services are available and their eligibility criteria or if you need help gaining access to social care services and equipment. We can also offer advice on payments for care and support at home or residential care.
  • Legal Our advisors can provide information about making a will, dealing with an estate or arranging for others to make financial and welfare decisions on your behalf.
  • Bereavement As well as offering emotional support by putting you in touch with local bereavement groups, our team also offer practical advice like help with benefits and money and who to contact after someone has died.
  • Local services We have extensive knowledge of local services like clubs and groups and community transport that can help you stay independent, as well as leisure activities to keep body and mind active.

If the issue you need help with is not listed above, please don’t worry. Our team have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help get access the information and advice you need.

A service you can trust

We’re proud to have achieved Age UK Information and Advice Quality Standard mark, and the Advice Quality Standard (AQS), demonstrating that our service meets recognised Advice Sector standards of practice and that the information and advice we give is of a high standard of quality and accurate.

Mrs B’s story

“I called the Information and Advice line to find out about a Nursing Home for my dad who suffered a stroke in November. Dad has dementia and is deaf so has some complex needs. We’re reliant on social care funding but we were told that dad would need to pay £140 a week towards his care but that would increase to £500 in ‘top up fees’ if we wanted to specify he went into a local home. I’m 65 myself, I look after my grandchildren full time and I have a step-father I visit everyday. I only receive state pension so money is tight. When we found out that the only affordable homes were in Braintree, Colchester or Clacton my heart sank. I live in Church Langley and rely on public transport. I feared my dad would get much worse if i wasn’t able to see him everyday especially as I was worried about his care if I didn’t keep an eye on him.”

How did Age UK Essex help?

“Gary at Age UK Essex was so reassuring and knowledgeable about dads rights. He advised me not to be forced into agreeing to any additional charges for dad’s care. He broke down all the complexities surrounding dad’s care and explained where we stood in terms of paying for the chosen care home we wanted dad to be in and he supported us throughout discussions with our Social Worker.”

What was achieved?

“Dad has been placed in a nursing home 4 miles from where I live so myself and the rest of the family can visit him throughout the week. Thankfully we don’t have to pay any extra ‘top up fees’ for dads Care Home now. I am so grateful for the help Age UK Essex gave me and my family. I was so frightened and worried for my dad but now I feel that dad is in good care and he and I are much happier."

Find out more about Information and Advice

  • Benefits calculator

    Even if you think you're getting all the benefits you're entitled to, it doesn't hurt to check. You could discover you may be eligible for additional support.

    Find out more

  • Attendance allowance

    You may be able to claim Attendance Allowance if your ability to look after your own personal care is affected by physical or mental illness or disability.

    Find out more

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