Where else can I get advice?

The government department responsible for the overall administration of the benefits system (with the exception of Housing and Council Tax Benefit, which is administered by the local authority) is the Department fir work and Pensions (DWP). tax credits are administered by the Tax Credits Office of Her Majesties Revenue and Customs (MRC), who are also responsible for Child Benefit.

The DWP has created several executive agencies to administer particular benefits for whole groups of claimants. The main ones are:

• Jobcentre Plus: benefits for people of working age
• The Pensions Service: benefits for people over a pension age
• Disability and Care Service: disability and carer benefits

Many organisations will now make home visits to help people complete claims.

Other useful contacts include

• Your local branch/division
• http://www.turn2us.org.uk/
• http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/
• http://rightsnet.org.uk/
• http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm
• Age UK - 0800 169 6565
• Veterans UK - 0800 169 2277
• Benefits and Money Advice
• The Royal British Legion Benefits and Money Advice Service (Enquiry Line) - 0203 207 2153
• Legionline 08457 725 725
• http://dwp.gov.uk/about-dwp/customer-delivery/the-pension-service/
• For existing State Pension or Pension Credit enquiries - 08456 060 265
• For a State pension forecast contact The Future Pension Centre - 0845 3000 168
• Benefits Enquiry Line: 0800 88 22 00