Benefits and debt counselling
It is important that everyone who is entitled to benefits or help receives all that they are entitled to. There are a range of benefits that you may be eligible.
Hampshire County Council does not administer or provide benefits to the public. However, if you are having an Adult Services financial assessment, as part of this process the Financial Assessments and Benefits team will make sure you are claiming the benefits you are entitled to.
Organisations that may help
-
Age UK Helpline
Tel: 0800 00 99 66 -
Benefits Enquiry Line (BEL) - a confidential phone service for people with disabilities, their representatives and their carers. Staff give general, rather than personal advice.
Tel: Freephone 0800 882 200 - Citizens Advice Bureaux
- Directgov Benefits and financial support
- Department for Work and Pensions A-Z of contacts
- Jobcentre Plus
-
Veterans Agency and War Pensions Welfare Service - help for former members of armed forces and their families
Tel: 0800 169 2277
If you have an illness or disability
- Attendance Allowance (AA) - If you are over 65 and you need help looking after yourself you may qualify. There are two rates, and the allowance is not means tested and is tax free
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - If you are under 65 and you need help looking after yourself, you may qualify. You can get DLA whether or not you work and it isn’t usually affected by any savings or income you may have
- Independent Living Fund - (ILF) provides discretionary cash payments directly to disabled people so they can purchase care from an agency or pay the wages of a privately employed Personal Assistant (PA)
- Motability scheme
If you are caring for someone
- Carer's Allowance - is paid to people who look after someone who is disabled. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for
If you are on low income
- Council Tax Benefit - eligibility for these benefits depends on your income and family circumstances
- Housing Benefit - eligibility for these benefits depends on your income and family circumstances
- Income Support - is an income-related benefit for people aged 16 years up to 60 that are on low income.
- Pension Credit - If you or your partner are aged 60 or over you may be entitled to Pension Credit which guarantees everyone aged 60 and over a minimum income
- Working Tax Credit - is a payment to top up the earnings of low paid working people
Debt counselling
- Adviceguide website - from the The Citizens Advice Bureau has useful information on a range of topics including help with debt.
- Citizens Advice Bureaux - contact your local branch
-
Bankruptcy-Insolvency.Co.uk – free independent and impartial advice service for consumers with debt problems
Freephone 0800 074 6818 - Independent Financial Adviser - for information and advice on debt and other financial issues.