In England, Scotland and Wales
The Department for Work and Pensions
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for social security benefits, such as Income Support and Attendance Allowance. The DWP has several agencies that handle these benefits, including Jobcentre Plus and the Pension, Disability and Carers Service.
Jobcentre Plus is the agency for people of working age (16 to 65). You can use them to claim benefits or find work (or both). Your local office will be listed in the phone book under Jobcentre Plus, or visit their website www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk. If there is no Jobcentre Plus office in your area yet, your local benefits office will be listed in the phone book under social security.
The Pension Service and the Disability and Carers Service have now been brought together into a single agency - the Pension, Disability and Carers Service.
The service is responsible for people of pension age, as well as those planning for their pension and nearing retirement. You can contact them by phone, fax, email or letter with questions about your state pension or about claiming benefits for people of pension age, such as Pension Credit. The service can arrange a home visit, or for you to visit your local office, if your query cannot be dealt with over the phone.
The Pension, Disability and Carers Service is also responsible for disabled people and their carers and it administers Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Carer's Allowance. Your local office will be listed in the phone book or see www.direct.gov.uk/disability.
Useful information
You may find it useful to read the following guide produced by the Department for Work and Pensions: A guide for disabled people, those with health conditions and carers (DHC1JP) – includes details of financial and practical support available.
There are also leaflets available giving more details of specific benefits mentioned in the guide above. These include:
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Incapacity Benefit (IB1JP) – information for new customers
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Attendance Allowance (AAA5DCS)
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Disability Living Allowance (DLAA5DCS)
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Carer's Allowance (CAA5DCS)
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Going into hospital? (GIHA5DWP) – what happens to your benefits
and pension.
You can ask for these leaflets and guides at your local office, or download them from www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
There is also help available from other organisations. These include your local authority (council) and HM Revenue & Customs. For more information see www.direct.gov.uk – money, tax and benefits section.
In Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Social Security Agency
The Northern Ireland Social Security Agency (SSA) is responsible for social security benefits, such as Income Support and Attendance Allowance. The Social Security Agency has different offices which handle these benefits, including Social Security and Jobs and Benefits offices, the Disability and Carers Service and the Pension Service. You can use Jobs and Benefits offices to find work or claim benefits or both. They are gradually replacing the old JobCentre and Social Security offices. Your local Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office will be listed in the phone book under Government or Social Security Agency, or see their website
www.dsdni.gov.uk
The Pension Service in Northern Ireland looks after the benefits needs of people of pension age. You can contact the Pension Service if you have questions about your state pension or want to claim benefits that are relevant to people of pension age eg Pension Credit. You can contact the Pension Service by phone, fax, email or letter. Your office will be listed in the phone book under Government or Social Security Agency. The Pension Service can arrange a home visit, or for you to visit your local Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office if your business cannot be dealt with over the phone.
The Disability and Carers Service is the agency for disabled people and their carers. It is responsible for the disability benefits Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance, and also Carer's Allowance. The Disability and Carers Service is based in Belfast. You can visit the office in person or you can contact the service by phone, fax or letter. You can also contact the service locally through any Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office. The service deals with both ew and existing claims.
Useful information
You may find it useful to read the following leaflets produced by the Social Security Agency:
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Sick or disabled? (SD1) – a basic guide to benefits and tax credits for people of all ages with a physical or mental illness or disability – and for people who look after them.
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Disability Living Allowance (DLAA5DCS) – a guide to Disability Living Allowance
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Attendance Allowance (AA5DCS) – a guide to Attendance Allowance
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Caring for someone (SD4) – a guide to Carer's Allowance
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Going into hospital? (GL12) – a basic guide to benefits you may be able to get and the effect on benefits you already get.
You can ask for them at your local Social Security or Jobs and Benefit Office, or download them from www.dsdni.gov.uk
There is also help available from other organisations outside the Social Security Agency. These include the Housing Executive, Rate Collection Agency and HM Revenue & Customs(formerly Inland Revenue).