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. 



The main government site is— www.gov.uk — 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 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. 



The HMRC section of the website at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs contains 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.



The Social Security and Child Support (SSCS) Tribunal administers tribunal hearings of appeals against benefit decisions; see the website at: https://www.gov.uk/social-security-child-support-tribunal

Official booklets and guides



DWP guides are available at local JobCentre Plus offices, Jobcentre offices and 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. 



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.


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



Other sources of advice and information



Age UK — Information and advice line on 0800 169 2081 open between 8.00am and 7.00pm; www.ageuk.org.uk

Carers UK — Advice line: 0808 808 7777, email: [email protected]; 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); www.cpag.org.uk 



Citizens Advice is a network of local Citizens Advice centres providing free, independent and confidential advice; www.citizensadvice.org.uk. Advice by phone is available from all local Citizens Advice centres. In addition, it is in the process of developing a national phone service. (In England the service is currently being rolled out. If it is not yet available in your area, you will hear options for recorded information.) In England call 03444 111 444; for Wales call: 0344 477 2020 (TextRelay users should 03444 111 445). In Scotland call: 0808 800 9060; and for Northern Ireland go to: https://www.citizensadvice.co.uk/pages/get_advice

Disability Rights UK produces factsheets and the Disability rights handbook and runs several telephone helplines providing information on a variety of issues; www.disabilityrightsuk.org 



Entitled to provides online benefit calculators and information about state benefits and tax credits; www.entitledto.co.uk


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

The Law Centres Network can help you find your nearest Law Centre where disadvantaged people can obtain free legal advice and representation; www.lawcentres.org.uk



Scope provides information and advice for disabled people including Disability Information and Advice Line (DIAL) services run for and by disabled people and runs a free and confidential helpline on 0808 800 3333. For more information go to: www.scope.org.uk



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



TUC unemployed workers’ centres around the country can provide help and advice; http://unionsinthecommunity.org.uk/working-together/general/395-directory-of-tuc-unemployed-workers-centres



Turn2us is a national charity that helps people in financial hardship gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services. Helpline: 0808 802 2000; https://www.turn2us.org.uk

Working Families Free legal advice line for parents and carers: 0300 012 0312; https://www.workingfamilies.org.uk