Further help and information

Department for Work and Pensions/HM Revenue & Customs

The state benefits system is run mainly by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), while HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) administers Tax Credits. There are three main websites:

• www.gov.uk — the main government site with information on money, tax and benefits, information for people planning for retirement as well as those already retired, and links to sources of further information;

• www.dwp.gov.uk — contains benefit information (including downloadable information leaflets and links to the Pension Service and Jobcentre Plus sites. Also information about new welfare benefits changes; and

• www.hmrc.gov.uk — information on National Insurance Contributions, Child and Working Tax Credits and Child Benefit.

There are a number of telephone helplines for people who want more information or want to claim by telephone.

All relevant content for young people can be found on the main government website at: www.gov.uk

The Social Security and Child Support (SSCS) Tribunal administers tribunal hearings of appeals against benefit decisions, see the website at: www.justice.gov.uk/tribunals/sscs

Official booklets and guides

DWP guides are available at local Jobcentre Plus offices, Jobcentre offices, benefits offices or on the DWP website at: www.dwp.gov.uk

Information on benefits for parents and children is available in DWP guides including A guide to maternity benefits (NI17A) and A guide for parents (DWP1030).

Parental rights information is available from the Acas helpline on 08457 474747, or the Labour Relations Agency in Northern Ireland on 028 90321442.

DWP guides covering sickness, injury and disability include A guide to Industrial Injuries Scheme Benefits (DB1).

Your local authority may produce its own leaflets explaining help with housing costs.

If you are on a low income and/or looking for work, the main DWP guide is Support if you are looking for work (DWP001). A guide to Income Support (DWP030) provides more detailed information on that particular area.

Other sources of advice and information

Age UK — Information and advice line on 0800 169 6565 open between 8.00am and 7.00pm, web: www.ageuk.org.uk

Carers UK Advice line: 0808 808 7777, email: [email protected], web: www.carersuk.org

Child Poverty Action Group produces detailed guides to benefits including the Welfare benefits and tax credits handbook, published each April. Tel: 020 7837 7979 (not an advice line), web: www.cpag.org.uk

Citizens Advice is a network of bureaux providing free, independent and confidential advice; web: www.citizensadvice.org.uk Advice by phone is available from all Citizens Advice Bureaux. In addition, it is in the process of developing a national phone service. (In England the service is currently being rolled out area by area. If it is not yet available in your area, you will hear options for recorded information.) TextRelay users should call: 08444 111 445, for England call: 08444 111 444, for Wales call: 0844 477 2020.

Dial Network is the national body for a network of 120 local organisations offering information and advice for disabled people. Tel: 01302 310123, textphone: 01302 310 123, web: www.dialuk.info

Disabilty Rights UK produces factsheets and the Disability rights handbook. Tel: 020 7247 8776, web: www.disabilityrightsuk.org

Gingerbread provides advice, practical support and campaigns for single parents. Helpline: 0808 802 0925; web: www.gingerbread.org.uk

The Law Centres Federation can help you find your nearest Law Centre where disadvantaged people can obtain free legal advice and representation. Tel: 020 7842 0720, web: www.lawcentres.org.uk

Pay and Employment Rights Service — West Yorkshire-based advice line, tel: 01924 428030, web: www.pers.org.uk

Shelter — The housing and homelessness charity has a free advice helpline. Tel: 0808 800 4444, web: www.shelter.org.uk

Working Families: Free legal advice line for parents and carers: 0800 013 0131, web: www.workingfamilies.org.uk

There are TUC unemployed workers’ centres around the country which can provide help and advice, web: www.tuc.org.uk/union-issues/unions-community/unemployed-workers-centres