Advice Team remains available for benefit applications

Diverse Abilities’ Advice Team remains open for advice and guidance offering telephone appointments for those who need assistance with disability benefit applications.

MP Justin Tomlinson, minister of state at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), has stated a significant reduction in the number of benefit applications during this pandemic. His belief is that this is due to people being unable to access help with the application forms.

Elaine Ewing, advice service manager, commented: “We understand that people may be delaying the return of forms as the DWP has extended the return by dates, however, we are here and ready to help as leaving forms until the last minute may result in a back log of applications and delays in receiving DWP decisions.”

The charity’s Advice Team offers expert advice on a variety of matters including benefit applications, Lasting Powers of Attorney, appeals and reconsiderations. All types of disabilities and health conditions are supported by the service, for example, dementia, motor neurone disease and strokes, and all ages are considered including children and their families or carers.

Visit diverseabilities.org.uk/advice to find out more about the services available or call 0300 330 5514 weekdays between 9am and 1.30pm. The service also has its own Facebook Group, Diverse Abilities Advice Team, where the team shares updates from DWP and provides the opportunity to answer questions.