Information and advice

Age UK Maidstone offers a free and confidential information and advice service for older people, their families and carers.

I&A can be provided to those aged 50+ who live in the Maidstone Borough Council area, as well as anyone who cares for them. Clients can access the service via phone, email, office appointment or home visit (for those who are housebound only). I&A is, and always will be, a free service.

Topics covered

Welfare benefits:

• Benefit checks.
• Form filling for: Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Job Seekers Allowance (JSA), Universal Credit (UC), Carers Allowance, Pension Credit, State Pension, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Council Tax Reduction.
• Support with writing Mandatory Reconsideration requests.
• Advice on preparing appeal papers for Tribunal Hearings.

Housing:

• Supporting people to understand and navigate the range of options available.
• Help with applying to the Housing Register.

Health & Social Care:

• Advice on accessing Social Care support for both funded & self-funded clients.
• Advice on statutory rights to Assessments.
• Advice on hospital discharge procedures.

Others:

• Information on Power of Attorney only (not advice or help with applications).
• Help with Blue Badge and Disability Bus Pass applications.

Topics not covered

• Legal advice
• Financial advice
• Immigration advice
• Neighbour disputes
• Advocacy

How do I access the service?

You can access our information and advice service in a number of ways.

By phone: 01622 753618

By email: advice@ageukmaidstone.org.uk

At our office: Appointment nessessary, 7 Mill Street, Maidstone, ME15 6XW

Useful contact numbers