Benefits – Know your rights.

There are many reasons why your situation may change and you may need to claim benefits of some sort. Loss of job and income, being registered as disabled, having a child, finding a job but earning a low income, becoming a single parent or switching from full time to part time employment, all of the issues mentioned here could mean that you are entitled to some sort of financial support. There is no stigma attached to applying for something that you are entitled to, and may well have paid into over the years.

But finding out just what you can claim can be difficult. Filling in the forms, which seem to be the size of a phonebook and want to know just about everything can be daunting and off putting. Filling in forms incorrectly can lead to claims being rejected, and phone calls to the benefit office can face a long queue, automated responses and long periods of time placed on hold…and that is if you even know what questions you need to ask.

UK Benefits Guide is a website that might come in useful if you are applying for benefits, or a specific benefit for the first time. It has a comprehensive guide to most benefits, including child benefit, disability benefit  and benefits for low income, this should answer most of the questions you have. In case there are outstanding queries, issues arising, or if you just need to chat to someone about your situation, the site also has the most up to date contact information about different departments, including a direct contact number that you can use direct from the site.

A change in your personal situation can be a frightening and harrowing time, but it is good to know that there are places where you can get the relevant information and answers quickly and efficiently.

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