Benefits Advice Service
Changes in later life may make it more difficult to manage on the income you have. There are many benefits which you may be able to access to help you cope and reduce your financial worries
Our benefits advice service can help you identify your benefit entitlements, advise you on a range of issues and help you to apply for your entitlements.
How can the benefits advice service help me?
We can talk you to about your situation and advise you on the range of benefits to which you may be entitled such as attendance allowance, carers allowance, pension credit, personal independence payment, housing benefit and council tax reduction. Welfare benefits are complex to understand but our staff are conversant with the full range of benefits for older people, how they are calculated and how to apply for them. They can also help you with the application forms and can liaise with the relevant agencies on your behalf if you wish.
We can also offer help with issues such as gas and electricity bills, care at home and housing advice. There may be other help we can give which would make your life easier, such as helping you apply for a blue badge or a reduction in Council Tax, or helping you to challenge a benefit decision. If we feel that there are other ways that we, or another agency, can help you we can direct you to local services, organisations and support.
Who can benefit from this service?
Anyone who is aged 50 or over, their families and their carers.
How do you deliver the benefits advice?
We can initially help over the telephone and may be able to suggest which benefits you may be entitled to after a telephone assessment chat. If you prefer to talk face to face with one of our advisors, we can arrange an appointment at one of our centres. We can also, where necessary, arrange to see you at your home if you are unable to get to one of our centres and we can go through the paperwork there with you. We are always happy to meet you with your partner, carer or family to answer their questions too.
Where is the benefits service available?
We help older people who live in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. If you have an older family member who lives in this area, but you reside elsewhere in the country, we would be happy to help you with the information and advice you need to support them.
Will I have to pay for your help?
No. This service is completely free. It is also confidential.
How do I get in touch to ask for your help?
Initially you need to call our Information Advice Helpline on 0116 299 2278. The line is open between 9am and 1pm Monday - Thursday . We do receive a high volume of calls and would ask you to leave a voicemail if you are unable to get through to one of our staff. We will return your call as quickly as we can.
“I referred a patient to the Benefits Advice Service & was very impressed with the professionalism of the lady who took my call and the support that Age UK Leics can offer.”
Caroline, Speech & Language Therapist
We recommend everyone should check their benefit eligibility every 12 months as circumstances often change.
Many older people are not claiming the full range of allowances they are entitled to and that means that 20% of pensioners are still living in poverty. If you have details of your income and savings, you can check your entitlement to means tested benefits online using our benefits calculator.
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