Benefits - general advice and information

The Welfare Benefits Unit is a small, frontline, customer-focused team that deals directly with people in Medway who are seeking information, advice, advocacy and representation on welfare benefit issues.

It takes referrals from:

care managers;
social workers;
health professionals; and
local voluntary organisations.

What it offers

Services available include:

home visits to clients for benefit advice, an individual assessment of current benefit income and any future entitlement;
representations to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), HM Revenue and Customs, Tribunal Service, High Court Commissioners and the Ombudsman, undertaking technical and legislative preparation work;
in complex cases, joint visits can be arranged with other professionals as required.

Appeal representation will only be accepted following a full preliminary assessment. Where the assessment shows there is no evidence to support an appeal, no further action will be taken and the case will be closed.

Eligibility criteria for referrals

The Welfare Benefits Unit supports the following client groups:

adult services;
children and families;
adolescents;
16+;
elderly;
people with learning disabilities;
people with physical disabilities;
young offenders;
people with addictions;
families facing financial difficulties.

For more information contact us by telephone: 01634 306000 or by email: info@medway.gov.uk

Write to: Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR

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