Welfare Reform resources
The Department of Work and Pensions website includes information about JobCentre Plus benefits, contact numbers, policies, forms, customer charter.
Advocacy services
Advocacy promotes equality, social justice and social inclusion. It can empower people to speak up for themselves. It can help people become more aware of their own rights, to exercise those rights and be involved in and influence decisions that are being made about their future. They aim to help people speak out about their concerns, argue their case, assert their rights, express their views and where appropriate, make complaints. With welfare reform advocacy services could help by accompanying people to assessments and making complaints.
Safeguarding Vulnerable Adult teams and local Disability Hate Crime Units can also be helpful to provide advocacy support.
Read more about advocacy and local services
Computers and internet access
For many people access to a computer and the internet is essential, from looking for work or accessing information on benefits. Get Online At Home is a national project offering very cheap computers and broadband deals, with a view to helping people obtain internet access. Visit the website for more details.
Money
Tools and calculators: Mental Health & Money Advice
Christians Against Poverty – Run services in the local area around debt and money management, job clubs. Please see website for details of services near you.
Guide to mental health and debt (PDF)
The Money Advice Service – Free, unbiased, independent advice on money matters, 0300 500 5000
Consumer Credit Counselling Service – Free anonymous debt advice from the UK’s leading debt charity, 0800 138 1111
Debt Advice Bureau – Free information providing information and solutions to help deal with debt and credit problems.
National Debtline – Debt advice for people living in different parts of the country. This is because the law concerning debt varies depending on whether you live in England and Wales or Scotland, 0808 808 4000
New Debt Counselling Agency – 0800 328 0006 (Freephone) Mobile: 07825 707 292, email yvetterobinson@capuk.org
National Benefit Enquiry Line – Get advice or information about a claim you’ve already made for Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.
Kirklees Money On Your Mind – Kirklees Council has developed a help sheet with a list of organisations that offer free and confidential support to help make debts manageable and build more resilient mental health in the area.
Wakefield Council – ‘More money in your pocket’.
WDH Cash Wise service is available for Wakefield residents.
Wakefield Citizens Advice Bureau hosts drop in sessions across the district every Monday to Friday.
Welfare reform
- The employment and support allowance regulations 2008: Part 5, regulation 29
- The employment and support allowance regulations 2008: Part 6, regulation 35
- Guidance on the use of these regulations
Websites
- Direct Gov
- Department for Work and Pensions
- Disability Rights UK
- Disability Law Service
- MIND
- DWP customer charter (PDF)
- Benefits and Work – independent subscription service with information on changes and tips on how to navigate the system.
- Turn2Us
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