Welfare Rights Team (East Lothian Council)

Address 

Description

People with disabilities and their carers maybe entitled to financial benefits from the Government paid through the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)This is a free, friendly, confidential service, offering information, help and advice on welfare rights and benefits to people in the East Lothian Council area.  The Welfare Rights Team will:

• help you get what you are entitled to
• explain official letters
• help fill in claim forms
• advise about reviews
• represent you at Social Security Appeal Tribunals.

Most people who have a disability after an acquired brain injury will qualify for Disability Living Allowance (DLA).  DLA is money to help with getting about (called the ‘mobility component’) and help with personal care or supervision (called the ‘care component’).  DLA care component is paid at 3 different rates and mobility component at 2 rates so it is important to make sure you are getting the correct rate – especially if you need more help now than you did when you were first awarded DLA.  If your DLA is reduced – always ask for the decision to be reviewed and get help to do this from the Welfare Rights Team.Even though you may be satisfied that you are getting the right rate or amount of money it is worth checking with the Welfare Rights Team to see if you may be entitled to more money.  The Welfare Rights Team can quickly advise you about this and would only help you to go ahead with a claim – called a review – for a higher rate if they thought that you had a good chance.  In other words you are not going to lose out by checking with them. But you should not apply for review without their help.  They will help you to fill the forms in because they are experts in doing this.

How to get the service or make a referral  

You can contact the team yourself or ask a professional working with you to do this.  The team are based in Brunton Hall but appointments are available throughout East Lothian – details below.The service is available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and no appointment time is needed.  Advice sessions are available at:

• Prestonpans (Aldhammer House, Tuesdays, 10–12 pm)
• Musselburgh (Brunton Hall, Wednesdays, 10–12 pm)
• North Berwick (2 Quality Street, 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of month, 2–4 pm
• Dunbar (Hallhill Healthy Living Centre, 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 2–4 pm)
• Tranent (8 Civic Square, Thursdays, 10–12 pm)
• Haddington (6-8 Lodge Street, Thursdays, 2–4 pm).

Charges

None

Contact

For more information, please turn up at the advice sessions or phone the team on 0131 653 4303.