Legal and financial support
The charities and public bodies in this section may be able to give advice on issues such as your rights, personal finances and benefits.
- Legal
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)
Helpline: 08457 47 47 47
Provides independent and impartial advice on employment rights and on resolving disputes in the workplace.
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
CAB provides free, independent advice on legal matters. You can find your local CAB office on the charity’s main website, but its 'Adviceguide' website provides information on your rights and entitlements. Both the main website and Adviceguide have separate sections for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Disability Law Service
Helpline: 020 7791 9800
Provides free legal advice to disabled people on specific areas of the law. Can offer a case work service. The website provides factsheets on community care and benefits.
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Helpline: 0845 604 6610 (England)
Helpline: 0845 604 5510 (Scotland)
Helpline: 0845 604 8810 (Wales)
Provides information on your rights, including information on the Disability Discrimination Act and your rights in employment, education and access to services.
Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
Enquiry Line: 028 90 890 890
An independent public body working to eliminate discrimination, promote equal opportunities and encourage good relationships between different racial groups in Northern Ireland. Their website has a section on your rights, including information on disability discrimination.
Pensions Advisory Service
Helpline: 0845 601 2923
Provides information and guidance on all pension issues, including complaints and disputes.
- Financial
Age UK
Helpline (England and Wales): 0800 169 6565
Helpline (Scotland): 0845 125 9732
Helpline (Northern Ireland): 0808 808 7575
Although this charity does not provide personal financial advice, its website also has pages giving general financial advice.
Benefit Enquiry Line
Helpline: 0800 882 200
Disability Living Allowance/Attendance Allowance enquiry line: 08457 123 456
Provides advice on benefits to disabled people and their carers.
Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG)
Although CPAG cannot give individual advice, the ‘Publications’ section of its website sells a number of publications, including The Paying for Care Handbook.
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
CAB provides free, independent advice on legal matters. You can find your local CAB office on the charity’s main website, but its 'Adviceguide' website provides information on your rights and entitlements. Both the main website and Adviceguide have separate sections for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Counsel and Care
Helpline: 0845 300 7585
Supports people over 60, their families and carers in making decisions about community care and care home funding, including benefits and grants. The site allows you to download a wide range of information on financial matters.
Directgov
Government website for information on public services, benefits and your rights. Has separate sections for disabled people and benefits.
Disability Alliance
Provides information on benefits and tax credits for disabled people, including a wide range of factsheets and guides on specific benefits and disability rights and entitlements.
Disability Law Service
Helpline: 020 7791 9800
Provides free legal advice to disabled people on specific areas of the law. Can offer a case work service. The website provides factsheets on community care and benefits.
Home Heat Helpline
Helpline: 0800 33 66 99
Provides information on payment schemes, grants and benefits to help with paying heating bills.
Independent Living Funds (ILF)
Tel. 0845 601 8815
This public body may provide additional financial support to severely disabled people meeting specific eligibility criteria, to help them live in the community rather than in residential care.
The Mobility Trust
This Trust may be able to provide a powered wheelchair or scooter for severely disabled people who cannot get them through statutory sources or pay for them themselves.
Office of the Public Guardian
Telephone: 0300 456 0300
Advises on making decisions about finances, property or personal welfare when someone lacks mental capacity or the ability to communicate their wishes.
Pensions Advisory Service
Helpline: 0845 601 2923
Provides information and guidance on all pension issues, including complaints and disputes.