Benefits and support for your household

2. Help applying for benefits and completing forms

The Welfare Rights Service provides a lot of support to people who need benefits advice but we can no longer help everyone and will usually not be able to help individuals to complete forms. However, we do offer a number of free online training courses and guides on various benefit subjects (including forms completion).

There are other services that provide help and advice about the following forms:

PIP2 form - this is a self-assessment form for Personal Independence Payment. You can get guidance with the form and if needed an extension to the time you have to complete the form by ringing 0800 121 4433 (Textphone 0800 121 4493).

ESA50/UC50 form - this is a self-assessment form for Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit. You can get guidance with the form from the Department for Work and Pensions medical assessment service by ringing 0800 288 8777.

The charity Independent Community Advocacy Network North (ICANN) also supports Lancashire residents at their health assessments and can help people to access their medical or care records to support their benefit claim or appeal.

Universal Credit Help to Claim Service - This service from Citizens Advice can support you in the early stages of your Universal Credit claim, from the application, through to your first payment. Ring 0800 144 8 444 (Textphone 18001 0800 144 8 444)

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support form - you can get help with the form from your local District Council, many will make an appointment to see you to go through the form with you.