Benefits and Tax Credits
The Welfare Rights Team can help Dundee residents sort out a wide range of benefit and tax credit problems. We can identify what benefits you may be entitled to, assess the merits of your case if you want to challenge a decision, and represent you at tribunal if you have a case.
For example: your claim for benefit or tax credits may have been refused, your benefit may have stopped, you may want to see if benefit can be backdated or report a change in circumstance, or you may have been over paid.
Money Advice and Debt Counselling
We can also give you advice about your debts, and help you in various ways if you owe money and are having problems paying it back.
There are various sorts of debt problems, for example:
- behind with the rent or mortgage,
- owing money for electricity, gas or Council Tax
- owing money to a loan shark,
- owing money to a bank or other lender,
- owing money for court fines,
- behind with catalogue payments.
How can we help with debt problems?
Often people have more than one debt - we can help people sort out multiple debt problems in a number of ways:
- we can help you sort out your debt problem in the best way for you
- we can check your benefits to make sure you are getting all the money that you should
- we can help arrange for the payments on what you owe to be reduced
- we can go to tribunal with you if you need help with an appeal
- we can help you to regain control of your finances
We won't make any judgment about why you are in debt. Our job is to help sort out the problem, regardless of how the debts arose.
Why is our service needed?
You may not be aware of your entitlements
Welfare Benefits rules and regulations are complex, as is the law relating to credit and debt. That's why it is important that people in Dundee have access to teams like the Welfare Rights Service where they can get free independent help and support.
How to contact us
We prefer it if you phone ahead first and speak to an adviser on our duty line. The number to call is 01382 431167. The Advice Line runs from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 4.30pm. It is normally staffed by two Welfare Rights Officers who are skilled in answering detailed questions about benefits, tax credits or debt.
Outreach Clinics Across Dundee
Although our offices are at Claverhouse East, we can arrange to see you at various venues across Dundee.
If you have a form to fill in that you are struggling with then help is at hand. Contact the Welfare Rights Team on our duty line number 01382 431167 and we can arrange to see you at a suitable venue for you to have your form filled in.
Debt Advice & Benefits & Tax Credit Advice to Overcome Barriers to Employment
We have 2 Money Advice Workers helping individuals to overcome barriers to employment. They work within the Dundee Employability pipelines and link in with training providers and other organisations that help offer individuals assistance in taking the steps necessary to get back to work. Our officers ensure that taking these steps do not put people at a financial disadvantage. They can give detailed benefits and tax credits advice, do better off calculations based on in work and out of work situations, help people with debt problems, represent at tribunals or negotiate with creditors.
Contact Us
Email: welfare.rights@dundeecity.gov.uk (link sends e-mail) Phone: 01382 431167 (Adviceline Monday to Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm) Fax: 01382 438341
Welfare Rights, Social Work Department, Jack Martin Way, Claverhouse East, Dundee DD4 9FF