A large part of a Welfare Officer’s job will involve assisting Beneficiaries to claim state benefits. This can be an overwhelming prospect especially at times of crisis; however, a Welfare officer can offer you empathy, support and advice to guide you through this process.  Everyone’s case will be individual and people may need to claim benefits for a variety of reasons, such as to cover periods of unemployment, sickness, accident, disability etc. To find out more information on the range of government assistance and benefits you may be able to claim you can look on www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk This section will tell you about financial support you may be entitled to. To make a new claim for benefits you can phone 0800 0556688.

 

If you think you need help with any part of this process or are experiencing problems with your current benefits then get in touch with your local Welfare Officer or Citizen’s Advice Bureau who will be happy to assist.  Alternatively you can explore the links below:

 

For help with benefits concerning housing (rent & mortgage) & council tax you will need to contact your local District Council.  Please note the above list is not exhaustive, your Welfare Officer can provide more detailed & specialist advice.

 

Debt Advice

Debts can accumulate for a variety of reasons and in some instances can have a very negative impact on people’s lives.  If debts are causing you anxiety because you feel you can no longer manage or you’re struggling to make ends meet then there is a wide range of help and advice available.

Welfare Officers are trained to help you to deal with your debts by finding out how you are feeling and how much support you need.  They may help by enabling you to deal with emergencies, identify debts, maximise your income, assess your budget and negotiate with creditors.  A Welfare Officer can also refer you onto specialist debt advisors if necessary.

Most importantly talk to someone if you’re struggling. Often many people will feel alone and may be considering borrowing again to pay off or consolidate their debts. This can have disastrous consequences and can increase the amount you have to pay back. 

Racing Welfare will offer a non-judgemental, confidential assessment to enable you to get back in control of your finances. If you would prefer to contact specialist advice then you can go to your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau or follow the links below. The agencies below offer FREE, confidential debt advice:

Citizens Advice
National Debt Line
Consumer Credit Counselling Service