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 two 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.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) section of the website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions, contains benefit information (including downloadable information leaflets and links to the Pension Service and Jobcentre Plus sites. It also sets out information about new benefit changes.

• 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 also 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 as well as the www.gov.uk site.

Information on benefits for parents and children is available in DWP guides, including Maternity Benefits: Technical Guidance and A guide for parents and guardians (DWP 012).

Parental rights information is available from the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100, or the Labour Relations Agency in Northern Ireland on 028 90321442.

DWP guides covering sickness, injury and disability include Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefits: Technical Guidance (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). 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. 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: 03444 111 445, for England call: 03444 111 444, for Wales call: 0344 477 2020. web: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Disability Rights UK – produces factsheets and the Disability rights handbook. Tel: 020 7250 8181 Mon-Fri, between 10.00 and 12.30pm and 1.30 and 4.00pm. This line is not an advice line. web: www.disabilityrightsuk.org

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

Greater Manchester Pay and Employment Rights Advice Service: Tel: 0161 839 3888, web: www.stockport.gov.uk/services/leisureculture/libraries/libraryonline/ciss/gmpayandemploymentrightsadviceservice.

The Law Centres Network can help you find your nearest Law Centre where disadvantaged people can obtain free legal advice and representation. Tel: 020 3637 1330, web: www.lawcentres.org.uk

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

Scope – provides information and advice for disabled people including Disability Information and Advice Line (DIAL) services run for and by disabled people. For more information see: www.scope.org.uk/support/disabled-people/dial/about .

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: 0300 012 0312, web: www.workingfamilies.org.uk

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