Comprehensive Benefits
and Legal Support Services
Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you are on a low income, out of work, or unable to work.
Carer’s Allowance is a benefit for people who provide regular and substantial care to disabled individuals. Carer’s Allowance is a taxable benefit and forms part of your taxable income.
Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people over the State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision due to illness or disability.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) helps you care for a child with a disability or health condition. DLA is not means-tested, so your income does not affect the amount you can receive.
The amount of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) you receive from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) depends on the type of ESA you claim. You might be eligible for:
- New-style ESA
- Contribution-based ESA
- Income-related ESA
You will usually only be able to claim new-style ESA. If you are unsure, check which types of ESA you can claim.
You can receive both contribution-based ESA and income-related ESA at the same time. The DWP will assess how much you can receive for each. The total ESA you are entitled to will be the higher of the two amounts.
If you disagree with a decision about benefits, tax credits, or child maintenance, you can request the decision to be reviewed – this is called a ‘mandatory reconsideration’.
You can also appeal a decision about your entitlement to benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or Universal Credit.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with some of the extra costs associated with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability.
You may be eligible for a grant from your council if you are disabled and need to make adaptations to your home, for example:
- Widening doors and installing ramps
- Improving access to rooms and facilities (e.g., stair lifts or a downstairs bathroom)
- Providing a heating system suitable for your needs
- Adapting heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use
A Disabled Facilities Grant will not affect any benefits you receive.
Housing:
- Applications for housing (also available online)
- Appeals
Council Tax:
- Disputes
- Appeals
- Applications
Employment Disputes:
- Grievances
- Disciplinary action appeals
