Newcastle City Council’s Welfare Rights Service has given advice and support to more than 5,000 residents since the beginning of the financial year, helping them to collectively access benefit entitlement equal to £10 million a year.
In one case alone, the Welfare Rights Service helped a parent of a disabled child in the city increase their household income by £14,000. In this instance, a Welfare Rights Officer identified that the award of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) was incorrect and did not match the level of need that the child had. Using their expert knowledge, the Officer was able to challenge the DLA decision and have the award increased to the appropriate level, whilst also helping to ensure that the appropriate elements were added to their Universal Credit award.
Cllr Dan Greenhough, Newcastle City Council Cabinet Member for Economy, Jobs and Skills, said: “We know times are hard for many people in our communities and that’s why we’re committed to protecting our residents in any we can and ensuring they get the support they’re entitled to.
“Our Welfare Rights Service do an incredible job making sure the people they work with get the level of entitlement they qualify for, and help to reduce the pressure people are under.
“Everybody’s circumstances are different and no two cases are the same. If you need support, our teams will do what they can to help, so I would urge residents to contact the service if they need any support navigating the benefits system.”
The council’s Welfare Rights Service offers residents a range of benefits advice and information, support to resolve issues, help to understand entitlement and more.
More information about the service can be found on the council’s website.
Picture: Members of Newcastle City Council's Welfare Rights Service team.