Welfare Benefits Advice
What help can we offer you?
We provide a comprehensive casework service and support with appeals delivered by fully trained experienced staff covering all Welfare Benefit matters including:
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Personal Independence Payment
- Jobseekers Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Bereavement Benefits
- Council Tax Support
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Carers Allowance
- Maternity Benefits
- Child Benefit
- Benefit Overpayments
- Challenging Benefit Decisions
- Help with Appeals
Appointments with our specialist advisors are available either by telephone or at our offices in Northampton and Wellingborough. We also have Countywide outreach venues.
If your problem is urgent, we will try to see you before any deadlines that you must meet. For non-urgent problems, demand for our service may sometimes mean that you have to wait for an appointment. You will be given the option of being referred to an alternative provider should the waiting time not be appropriate for your needs.
Which geographical areas do we cover?
Although we are a county-wide service, we prioritise areas where there is the greatest need in terms of demand: Northampton and Wellingborough. We also consider what other services are available in the area. If you need benefit advice but do not live in Northampton or Wellingborough, please do still contact us. We may be able to assist depending on your advice need and what funding we have available. Our staff can discuss this with you when they understand your specific circumstances.
If you have possession proceedings issued against you:
If you are at risk of losing your home because possession proceedings have commenced, we can assist you wherever you live. We have specialist advisers available to deal with welfare benefits matters where these are contributing to the risk to your home.
Our Welfare
Benefits
Advice Service
is Free,
Independent and
Confidential
How can you access this service?
An organisation that is already supporting you can make a referral.
Or you can visit our offices, email enquiries@communitylawservice.org.uk or call 01604 621038.
You can also make contact with our Energy Advice Services via their own contact details.
Drop-In Advice Services
One Stop Shop, Northampton Guildhall
Tuesday 10.00am – 12.00noon (including energy saving advice)
In 2023 – 2024 we provided Welfare Benefits advice to 2,091 people and helped them to claim over £8,506,827of additional benefit income
“The advisor helped me to get my Personal Independence Payment including a backdated payment and having the extra money means I can manage so much better now.”
a Case Study
Client’s Situation & Enquiry:
Mrs D was a widow and living alone in a 3 bed Housing Association property. She had substantial health problems and did not want to downsize/leave the family home or her immediate area.
She was reliant on Benefit income and received Employment and Support Allowance, the Daily Living and Mobility components of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), maximum Housing Benefit meeting her rent aside from the 2 bedroom under-occupancy and maximum Council Tax Support.
She had received received a letter from the DWP advising she no longer had entitlement to an award of Personal Independence Payment following a new decision. As a result of this her Employment and support Allowance was also reduced as she no longer qualified for a Severe Disability Premium.
Initial Advice Given & Action Agreed & Taken:
Mrs D was advised on the Benefit challenge procedure, with first action being taken to request a Mandatory Reconsideration of the decision to cease payment of PIP . Additional medical evidence was obtained to support the application .
In order to prevent rent arrears that were accruing due to the reduced income a Discretionary Housing Payment was also applied for.
Outcomes Achieved:
- Mrs D had the enhanced rate Daily Living & standard Rate Mobility components of PIP @ £137.25 per week reinstated and a backdated amount of £1098.
- As a result, and as she continued to live alone with nobody claiming Carer’s Allowance for looking after her, she once again qualified for a Severe Disability Premium in her ESA award, which was also backdated to her PIP award. Backdated credit of £652, with ongoing weekly entitlement @ £81.50 per week.
- She was assisted in registering for the Priority Service Registers for gas, electricity and water.
- Mrs D was awarded a Discretionary Housing Payment for an initial period of 2 months pending the outcome of the PIP decision
- Total additional income received as result of the advice provided = £257.25 per week for 2 months then reducing to £218.75 a week for the foreseeable future.
Our Services
Enquiries
For general enquires, please contact us on:
Northampton, Daventry,Towcester, Brackley
and surrounding areas
North Northamptonshire
01933 313020
Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby, East Northamptonshire and surrounding area
