Welfare Rights - Enquiry and Advice

The Welfare Rights team in Barnsley has many years of experience in advocacy on all aspects of Social Security Law. Individually, the team has different backgrounds and work experience, but shares a commitment to ensuring that the people of Barnsley get the best possible service when they most need it. The aim of the Welfare Rights Service is to offer free confidential and professional help with all aspects of claiming benefits, including:

• Benefit checks and maximisation
• Home Visits where needed
• Liaison with Council Departments
• Housing / Council Tax benefit advice
• Telephone advice

• In many instances we can also offer representation at Tribunals where necessary

Our success levels when representing our customers remain consistently high, as does the quality of advice given to help claim for disability benefits. Whether helping someone claim for the first time, or helping to get back a benefit taken away, the team secures millions of pounds in benefits every year for our clients.

The Welfare Rights Service is a free and confidential service available to all Barnsley residents and Hospital in-patients.

How can you contact us?     

If you require any help / assistance from Welfare Rights, or would like to request a leaflet, please

• Email: bentax@barnsley.gov.uk

• Contact them on their freephone advice line 0800 915 3339 between 10.00am and 4.00pm.

• Contact Barnsley Council on 01226 775656 and ask for Welfare rights. Monday to Thursday 8.45am - 5.00pm
  Friday 8.45am - 4.30pm

• Call into any Barnsley Connects office where officers will put you through to Welfare Rights.

Additional Information

• We provide advice sessions at various locations - please telephone the helplines for details
• We also provide advice sessions at various General Practitioners throughout the Borough. Your Doctor or other Health Professional can refer you to this service.

• For people affected by cancer the service offers specialist advisors working in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support.

How you can help

Please have all relevant documentation with you. In particular the decision you have received if you wish to appeal.

• Your National Insurance Number. 
• A pen and paper

Response Times/Next Steps

• The service will try to answer all queries over the phone but if needed they will arrange an appointment or home visit (if needed) to see you.
  

• The service endeavours to answer the telephone within 5 rings.

• Requests for a home visit are acknowledged within 6 working days.

• Letters and electronic mail are acknowledged within 2 working days

• Messages left for officers are returned within 24 hours unless notified otherwise.

Other useful websites:-

• Valuation Office Agency 

• Citizens Advice Bureau 

• Office of Deputy Prime Minister  

• Berneslai Homes 

• Benefits Calculator 

• Social Services 

• Customer Information Services (CIS) 

• Direct Gov - Money, Tax and Benefits 

• Disability Alliance 

• Department for Work And Pensions 

• Age Concern 

• Royal National Institute for the Blind 

• Macmillan Cancer Support