If you require advice about other type of benefits you may be entitled to, please see the links to other organisations and their web sites.
We hope that you find this information helpful.

Citizens Advice Bureau

Locally the Braintree, Halstead and Witham Citizens Advice Bureau offers practical, up-to-date information and advice on a wide range of topics, including; debt, benefits, housing, legal, discrimination, employment, immigration, consumer and other problems.

Clients can receive either face-to-face advice at drop-in and appointment sessions or advice over the telephone.

They run advice sessions at various venues across the district in health centres, village halls and parish council offices.

They also offer a disability outreach service to assist clients in their homes to claim disability related benefits.

A money advice service is based at their Witham offices, for clients with acute money problems.

The advice is available to everyone.

Visit: http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index.htm or call the general advice line 0844 4994719.

 

Direct Gov

The website offers benefits and financial support advice for people who are employed or looking for work, on a low income, dealing with bereavement, ill or injured, expecting or bringing up children, retired or approaching retirement, caring for someone or who have disabilities.  The website provides details of how to claim:-

Job Seekers or Income Support
Employment Support Allowance
Statutory Sick Pay
Pension Credit
Attendance allowance
Disability Living Allowance
Carers Allowance
Bereavement Benefit
Funeral Payments

The website also covers information regarding issues of benefit fraud.

Visit: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/index.htm

 

The Pensions Service

If you are over 60 the Department of Work and Pensions Service will be able to offer advice on pensions and other benefits. If they cannot deal with your enquiry over the telephone a home visit may be possible.

Visit: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/about-dwp/customer-delivery/the-pension-service/ or call 0845 6060265

Blue Badges

The Blue Badge scheme is administered by Essex County Council and provides parking concessions for people with a permanent or substantial disability.

Visit: http://www.essex.gov.uk/travel-highways/roads-cars/blue-badges/Pages/Blue-Badges.aspx or call the Adult Social Care team on 0845 758 5592

HM Revenue and Customs

HM Revenue and Customs pay and administer Tax credit and Child Benefit and collect and administer Income Tax and National Insurance.

Visit: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk or call the South Essex Tax office on 0845 300 0627 (or for customers who are deaf or hearing or speech impaired call 0845 302 1408).

Age UK

A range of information guides and factsheets to help you deal with some of the challenges faced in later life including money matters, health and wellbeing, travel and lifestyle, housing, care, work and learning.  

All information is impartial and easy to digest - it’s also free of charge.

Visit: www.ace.org.uk or phone 0800 169 6565

Community Legal Services

The Community Legal Advice website provides free high quality legal information to help you deal with your problems.
Visit: www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk or call 0845 345 4345

Disability Alliance

Disability Alliance is a national registered charity which works to relieve the poverty and improve the living standards of disabled people.

www.disabilityalliance.org

National Debtline

National Debtline is a national telephone helpline for people with debt problems in England, Wales and Scotland. The service is free, confidential and independent. National Debtline is now part of the Money Advice Trust, (registered charity no 1099506) more information is available on their website

Visit: www.nationaldebtline.co.uk or call 0808 808 4000 (Monday to Friday 9:00am to 9pm, Saturday 9:30 to 1:00pm)

Moneymadeclear 

This service gives you impartial information and guidance about your money to help you work out what’s right for you.

Visit:  moneyadviceservice.org.uk/yourmoney/ or call 0300 500 5000

Shelter

Shelter is a charity that works to alleviate the distress caused by homelessness and bad housing. They do this by giving advice, information and advocacy to people in housing need

Visit: www.shelter.org.uk or call 0808 800 4444

SSAFA -  Soldiers,Sailors, Airmen and Families Association

One day’s paid service in any of our Armed Forces is all that is needed to qualify for assistance from SSAFA Forces Help. This includes those who serve in the Reserve Forces and anyone who did National Service as well as close relatives, widows and widowers.

Visit: www.ssafa.org.uk/ or call the Essex branch on (01206) 764 114 (Monday to Wednesday 08:30 to 12:00pm)

British Legion

If you served in the Forces for at least 7 days or are the dependant of someone who has served, The Royal British Legion's extensive range of services is available to help you. Around 9.5 million people in the UK are eligible for the support and they spend £1.2 million a week helping those in the greatest need.

Visit: www.britishlegion.org.uk or call 08457 725 725