Benefits & pensions
Use this online calculator to check your entitlement to means tested benefits.
T: 0808 802 2000
Mon–Fri 9am-8pm
Calls are free from landlines and most mobile networks.
This poster shows the weekly benefit rates for all social security benefits and tax credits. However, you may find it more useful to use the benefit calculator to check the amounts for your particular circumstances.
Information about benefits for older people is available on the ageUK website or by calling their helpline
T: 0300 345 3446
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Calls charges (per minute)
Landlines: up to 10p
Mobiles: 3p – 40p
(free if you have inclusive minutes)
The benefits available to students depend on the level and hours of the course and the student’s individual circumstances. This information provides an overview.
If we have asked you to complete a benefit checklist you can download a copy here.
Our Personal Independence Payment (PIP) guidance can help you fill in your PIP claim form. There is advice for each question, including:
- what the questions mean
- what to write about in your answers
- examples of answers people might give
- help explaining how your illness or disability affects you
If you feel you need further help to fill in the form we may be able to help you face-to-face or book a home visit from the DWP.
The DWP have published 6 videos to help explain PIP – you can find them at the DWP YouTube channel
These help pages are to guide you through each question on the form. They will help you to decide if you need to answer each question.
We explain what the questions really mean, and give prompts on what to think about. This should help you to answer the questions and get the benefit.
If you feel you need further help to fill in the form we may be able to help you face-to-face or book a home visit from the DWP.
Guides
Advicenow guides are easy-to-read and practical. They explain what you need to know, where you need to go, and what you need to do to solve your problem.
Dealing with tax credit overpayments
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Tool
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Tool
These tools take you through the medical criteria for PIP & DLA respectively and tell you what rate of PIP or DLA you think, by your own assessment, you should be entitled to. It can also help you write a letter to challenge a decision.
Charitable funds are run by grant-giving charities to give grants to people in financial need. The Grant Search helps you look for funds that might be able to give you a grant and/or other types of help.
T: 0808 802 2000
Mon–Fri 9am-8pm
Calls are free from landlines and most mobile networks.
The Money Advice Service, Pension Wise and the Pensions Advisory Service have been amalgamated into a new service, Money Helper.
This page links to information about the State Pension.
There is also information on gov.uk about:
If you need a food parcel from the foodbank you will need to get a food voucher first. If you want us to issue you with a food voucher you will need to attend one of drop-in sessions or call our adviceline.
Template Letters
The following template letters are designed to help you write a basic mandatory reconsideration request. They are only appropriate for use where you are challenging a decision about a medical assessment.
Note that all the information in [square brackets] needs to be amended with your own details.
ESA mandatory reconsideration (in time)
ESA mandatory reconsideration (out of time)
Note that the advicenow PIP tool (above) can help you write a more detailed mandatory reconsideration for PIP if you have time and feel able.
PIP mandatory reconsideration (in time)
PIP mandatory reconsideration (out of time)
Child Benefit: 0300 200 3100
Calls charges (per minute)
Landlines: up to 10p
Mobiles: 3p – 40p
(free if you have inclusive minutes)
Tax Credits: 0345 300 3900
Mon-Fri 8am-8pm; Sat 8am-4pm & Sun 9am-5pm
Calls charges (per minute)
Landlines: up to 9p
Mobiles: 3p – 55p
(free if you have inclusive minutes)
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy. As the UK’s biggest public service department it administers the State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers.
Watford Borough Council are responsible for administering Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and Discretionary Housing Payments in Watford. From this page you can make online applications for each of these benefits. There is also information about reporting changes of circumstances.
T: 01923 226400
Mon-Thu 8:45am-5:15pm; Fri 8:45am-4:45pm
Calls charges (per minute)
Landlines: up to 13p
Mobiles: 3p – 55p
(free if you have inclusive minutes).
E: e-mail addresses for the different departments can be found here
A network of community organisations in Hertfordshire working together.
We’re here to listen and help you find independent support, guidance and information you need to get the most out of life.
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