Useful organisations for claiming benefits as a person affected by dementia

Useful organisations

Advicelocal 

Website
www.advicelocal.uk

Advicelocal helps you find tailored local advice and support organisations in your area.

Age UK

Telephone
0800 678 1602 (advice line, 8am–7pm every day of the year) 

Website
www.ageuk.org.uk

Wales – Age Cymru

Telephone
0300 303 44 98 (advice line, 9am–4pm Monday–Friday)

Email
[email protected]

Website
www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru

Northern Ireland – Age NI

Telephone
0808 808 7575 (advice line, 9am–5pm Monday–Friday)

Email
[email protected]

Website
www.ageuk.org.uk/northern-ireland

Age UK, Age Cymru and Age NI provide information and advice for older people in the UK.

Benefit Enquiry Line (Northern Ireland)

Telephone
0800 232 1271 (helpline, 9am–5pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 10am–5pm Thursday)

The Benefit Enquiry Line provides advice and information on Attendance allowance, Disability living allowance, Personal independence payments, Carer’s allowance and Carer’s credit.

Carers UK

Telephone
0808 808 7777 (helpline, 9am–6pm Monday–Friday)

Email
[email protected]

Website
www.carersuk.org

Carers UK gives advice, information and support about caring. This includes information on benefits for carers.

Citizens Advice

Telephone
0800 144 8848 (for England, 9am–5pm Monday–Friday)
0800 702 2020 (for Wales)

Website
www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Citizens Advice provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. Trained Citizens Advice advisers can offer information on benefits in a way that is easy to understand. To find your nearest Citizens Advice, look in the phone book, ask at your local library or look on the website. Opening times vary.

Disability Rights UK

Telephone
0330 995 0400 (general enquiries line)

Email
[email protected]

Website
www.disabilityrightsuk.org

Disability Rights UK is an organisation of disabled people working for equal participation for all.

Disability Service Centre

Website
www.gov.uk/disability-benefits-helpline

The Disability Service Centre page lists contact numbers where you can get advice or information about a claim you’ve already made for Disability living allowance, Attendance allowance or Personal independence payment.

GOV.UK

Website
www.gov.uk

GOV.UK is the website for finding information and services from the UK government, including information about benefits and Jobcentre Plus, checking your National insurance record and information about Gender recognition certificates.

NHS Help with health costs

Website
www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs

The NHS website provides information on how you can get help with health costs, including the different phone numbers you can call.

Turn2us

Website
www.turn2us.org.uk

Turn2us is a national charity that helps people in financial hardship gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services. There is a benefits calculator and grant search tool on their website.

Phone lines on specific benefits

Attendance Allowance (also for DLA claimants who are 65+)

Telephone
0800 731 0122 (8am–5pm Monday–Friday)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Telephone
If born after 8 April 1948 – 0800 121 4600 (9am–5pm Monday–Friday)
If born on or before 8 April 1948 – 0800 731 0122 (8am–5pm Monday–Friday)

Pension Credit claim line

Telephone
0800 99 1234 (8am–6pm Monday–Friday)

Pension Service for State pension

Telephone
For new claims – 0800 731 7898 (8am–6pm Monday–Friday)
For enquiries – 0800 731 0469 (8am–5pm Monday–Friday)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Telephone
For enquiries – 0800 121 4433 (9am–5pm Monday–Friday)
For new claims – 0800 917 2222 (8am–5pm Monday–Friday)
For enquiries in Northern Ireland – 0800 587 0932 (10am–4pm Monday–Friday)
For new claims in Northern Ireland – 0800 012 1573 (9am–4pm Monday–Friday)

Winter Fuel Payments

Telephone
0800 731 0160 (8am–5pm Monday–Friday) 

Website
www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment

Review information

Our information is based on evidence and need, and is regularly updated using quality-controlled processes. It is reviewed by experts in health and social care and people affected by dementia. 

Reviewed by: Robert Sherratt, Senior Welfare Rights Officer, Nottingham City Welfare Rights Service and Sara Kelsall and Frank Durnion, Broudie Jackson Canter Solicitors

To give feedback on this information, or for a list of sources, please email our Publishing team at [email protected]