Finding help about welfare and benefits

Local Minds

Some Local Minds provide advice and advocacy services.

Find a local mind in your area.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice can give you information on issues like PIP, ESA, Universal Credit and benefits sanctions.

Call Citizens Advice on 03444 111 444

Visit the Citizens Advice website 

Rethink

Rethink Mental Illness have some helpful factsheets and information on mental health and benefits. 

Visit the Rethink website

Turn2us

Turn2Us have a benefit calculator on their website and information about grants you might be able to apply for.

Visit the Turn2Us website

Gov.uk

The Government's website has information about the different benefits you might be entitled to and how you can start a claim.

Visit the gov.uk website

Making a complaint

We often hear from people who tell us they haven't been treated with dignity and respect when making a claim for benefits. If you'd like to make a complaint about your experiences there are some links below about where you can do that.

Making a complaint is different to appealing a decision. If you're worried that you've had the wrong decision made about your benefits then you can find out information about appeals in the links above.

• Department for Work and Pensions – For complaints about Jobcentre Plus, Universal Credit and some other benefits issues.
• Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (Maximus) – For complaints about your experience of a Work Capability Assessment.
• Capita – For complaints about a PIP assessment if you live in Wales, Northern Ireland or the Midlands.
• Independent Assessment Services (Atos) – For complaints about a PIP assessment if you live in Scotland or the rest of England.

If you have already made a complaint but it hasn't been resolved properly, you may be able to get your complaint looked at again by the Independent Case Examiner.