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Commissioners appointed |

The Government has announced that Commissioners are to be appointed for Nottingham City Council.  For further information, the council’s response and FAQs can be read here.

If you need advice for the first time

We are operating our advice service in a different way; most of our advice is provided over the phone. We do have some face-to-face appointments available in Bulwell and Broxtowe. We are currently not providing home visits unless there are exceptional circumstances.

We can offer the following advice/information on our duty telephone line:

  • Benefit Checks
  • Advice on claiming identified benefits
  • Assessments to check eligibility for Disability Benefits, e.g. Personal Independence Payment/Employment Support Allowance.
  • Advice on the expected outcome of the claim and what to do if it’s unsuccessful.
  • We can take emergency action to identify any debts you may have pending an appointment or signposting to alternative advice services.
  • We can identify any grounds to challenge any DWP/HMRC or Local Authority Benefit decision and represent through the process.
  • Advice on how to claim any grants/trust funds you may be entitled to

If you have an existing case

Our caseworkers will provide you with relevant contact details if you are an existing client. The completed casework will cover the same issues and to the same standard as previously but with contact over the phone rather than face-to-face.

Information if you want to make a referral

We have produced the following guide for referral agencies.

We can help citizens who find themselves in the following situations:

  • have no money, e.g. benefits have stopped – we can help with the reinstatement of benefit, making a new claim, appeals, food vouchers, etc
  • They aren’t sure what benefits they can claim – we can help with a benefit check
  • They have been furloughed and not sure if they have any other benefit entitlement
  • Debt advice but only if there is at least one priority debt Council tax, rent, TV Licence, fine, court papers

Advice about debt, benefits, housing, employment and more

Nottingham City Council funds and directly delivers welfare rights advice across the city to improve the income and living standards of Nottingham people.

Our Welfare Rights Service offers free, confidential and impartial advice and advocacy on the following matters:

Benefits and Tax Credits

  • Benefit checks to make sure you're claiming all you're entitled to
  • Guidance with benefit claim forms
  • Supporting you to challenge decisions
  • Representing you at benefit appeal tribunals

Debts

  • Preparing financial statements and offering budgeting advice as long as you have at least one priority debt, or we can signpost to alternative advice services.
  • Supporting tenants and homeowners with arrears and possession proceedings
  • Helping you with court forms
  • Advice and help with insolvency options such as bankruptcy or Debt Relief Orders