Local Benefits Advice Directory

There are often long waiting times to get appointments to discuss financial advice. It is important that you approach this issue early on in order for applications to be made in a timely fashion and to allow you to focus on what really matters.

Macmillan Cancer Support and Information Centre
A local service provided by the University Hospital of North Staffordshire from the Central Outpatients Department on Harsthill Road, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire.
Telephone: 07182 554363
Email: macmillancentre@uhns.nhs.uk

Disability Solutions

This is a voluntary organisation providing information and support to anyone in North Staffordshire with a disability, including cancer. They offer a free, impartial and confidential service, providing information, advice and support. Issues that they deal with include:

- Disability and other welfare benefits & rights.
- Discrimination, housing problems, access, transport and travel, leisure activities and holidays, education and employment, rehabilitation and training, voluntary organisations and their work, local welfare services, legislation, reports and other literature, radar toilet keys.

The service operates as a telephone helpline, and aims to ensure that people with cancer, their families and carers are aware of all the services and help that may be available to meet their needs.

 Contact details:

Old Wedgwood Johnson Building
Pelham Street (Off Lichfield Street)
Hanley
Stoke on Trent, ST1 3LL

Telephone: 01782 683800

Website:        www.disability-solutions.net

 E-mail:           general@disability-solutions.net

Visitors must first phone for an appointment.

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

If you have complex issues involving debt, employment rights or housing, contact should be made with your local CAB. The CAB is an independent body and a registered charity offering free, confidential, independent and impartial advice on a wide range of issues. Advice and help is given by trained advisers on housing, welfare benefits, employment issues, debt, tax, family and personal matters, legal problems, immigration, nationality and consumer rights.

Website:       www.adviceguide.org.uk

Local Citizen’s Advice Bureau Contact Details

•      Stafford and Stone (Stone) Citizens Advice Bureau

•     Stoke-On-Trent District Citizens Advice Bureau

Website         www.stoke-cab.org.uk

Leek Citizens Advice Bureau                                

 20 St Edward St, Leek, ST13 5DS                                          

 Telephone: 01538 373243

Open: To drop in 10.00 – 12.00 Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

By appointment Tuesday and Thursday

Newcastle under Lyme and Kidsgrove Citizens Advice Bureau                   

25-27 Well St, Newcastle, ST5 1BP                                   

Telephone: 0844 4994115 Information Line (24 hour recorded information)

Advice line and office are open: Mon 2.00 – 4.00 and Friday 10.00 -12.00 noon

The Department of Work and Pensions and Jobcentres Plus.

The Department of Work and Pensions is linked with Jobcentres Plus.

If you are on benefits at some point you may receive a standard letter from Jobcentres Plus inviting you for a ' work focussed interview '.

The interview process is a supportive process.

If you are receiving benefits but are too unwell to attend for the interview this can be deferred until you are well.   

Website:        www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Stoke-on -Trent City Council – Social Care

Stoke-on -Trent city council provides a range of services to help and support people to  manage at home and also provide leaflets about additional services including: -

• Home care

• Carer support

• Help when you leave hospital

• Residential or nursing home care and financial contributions involved.

Telephone: 01782 235985 (Adult Social Care Headquarters)

Website:       www.stoke.gov.uk

Staffordshire County Council Social Services Department

This department provides a range of services to help people manage at home and also provide leaflets about additional services including: -

• Getting help with meals

• Leaving hospital

• Finding help if you are a carer

• Choosing a residential or nursing home and financial contributions involved.

Telephone: 01785 223121 (County Council central switch board)

E-mail            welfarebenefits@staffordshire.gov.uk

Welfare Rights Service

This service has offices throughout Staffordshire. Telephone numbers for the individual offices are shown below.

Other providers that can help specific groups include:

Age Concern

Support and representation for the older person            

Age Concern North Staffordshire

83-85 Trinity Street
Hanley,

STOKE-ON-TRENT,

ST1 5NA
Telephone:  01782 286209
Fax:                01782 209099

E-mail            admin@acns.org.uk

North Staffs Carers Association

If you are a Carer and would like some information about the support available to you, or if you are likely to become a Carer in the near future and would like to discuss the implications and issues such as:

• Emotional Support

• Sign posting

• Access to services

• Information about Support Groups

• Information on assessments

• Liaison with professionals

• Help with Benefit form filling

Contact the Carers Association at:

North Staffs Carers Association   

Unit 2, Burslem Enterprise Centre,

Moorland Road,

Additional Information on benefits can be obtained from:

Macmillan Cancer Support Benefits Helpline                   

Telephone:  0808 808 00 00

Macmillan Cancer Support Booklet: “Help with the cost of cancer”

or

Macmillan Cancer Support Website:    http//www.macmillan.org.uk

then click onto each of the following in turn

• How we can help

• Help with benefits

• Financial information

• Financial issues