Welfare rights

What are welfare rights and benefit advice?
This service provides clients with guidance on benefit availability or welfare rights issues.

This involves:

• Details about available benefits
• Checking for benefit entitlement
• Advice on claiming benefits
• Help with filling in forms
• Speaking to the benefits office in the event of a problem with your claim
• Advice on welfare rights issues such as housing or employment problems which may arise as a result of your illness

The advisor may also be able to direct you where to find advice on debt and bill problems

This does not involve:

• Financial advice, e.g. on pensions and investments
• Giving you any money, just advice

Who are the welfare rights advisors?
The advisors are part of a Local Authority Service, based within the London Borough of Hounslow, dedicated to providing information and assistance in this field.

Where do welfare rights appointments take place?
In the Seminar Room here at The Mulberry Centre on alternate Wednesday mornings.

Confidentiality
All advice is confidential and the service will not pass on any information or contact other agencies without the permission of the client.

Who can access this service?
Cancer patients and their immediate carer.

How long will the appointment last?
Appointments last for 1 hour. Some benefit application forms are quite complex so you may need a double appointment to enable them to be completed.

Is there anything I should bring?
It is important that you bring all relevant DSS information to your Welfare Rights appointment.

How do I book?
Appointments can be made either in person at The Mulberry Centre or by calling Sue Sullivan on 020 8321 6300.