Welfare Rights

The Welfare Rights Service is now part of Dundee City Council's Advice Services.

Please telephone 01382 431188 and select the correct service as detailed:

For Scottish Welfare Fund press 1
For Council Advice Services (including Welfare Rights) press 2
For DEEAP Energy Advice press 3

Also for more information on changes to Social Security Benefits and what to claim please see here. This leaflet gives up to date information on what to claim and also gives contact details for Council Advice Services, Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau and Brooksbank Centre and Services.

Universal Credit Migration Important Update for those receiving most legacy benefits

Most legacy benefits are coming to an end, and people will need to apply for Universal Credit instead. Look out for a letter called a Universal Credit Migration Notice from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) explaining what you’ll need to do, and when. The timetable for letters depends on what tax credits/other benefits you are currently receiving. The latest timescales are shown in the following table:

Tax Credits Only	From 22nd January 2024
Tax Credits with Housing Benefit	From April 2024
Housing Benefit	From April 2024
Income Support	From April 2024
Income Related Employment and Support with Child Tax Credits	From July 2024
Income Based Jobseekers Allowance	From September 2024
Income Related Employment and Support Allowance	To be confirmed

Note: It is important that in order to receive Transitional Protection, you do not make a claim for Universal Credit before you receive a Migration Notice letter.

Please don’t ignore this letter as your legacy benefit will end and if you haven’t applied for Universal Credit there will be a delay in receiving your benefits. Before you apply for Universal Credit, it is important to ensure your current claim is correct. For Tax Credits, it is important to renew your tax credits, if you are asked to by HMRC (who manage Tax Credits), and check all your tax credits information is right. This is to help make sure the amount of Universal Credit you receive is correct.

On Universal Credit, many people will be entitled to the same amount they received from their previous benefits, or more. If the amount you are entitled to on Universal Credit is less than your existing benefits, a top up amount is available. This is called Transitional Protection. You can get the Transitional Protection if you have received a Migration Notice letter from DWP and make a claim by the deadline date on your letter. You will not get this Transitional Protection if you apply for Universal Credit before you receive your Migration Notice so wait for this notice to arrive before applying.

If you are having difficulty with this process, or you wish to ensure your current claim is correct before moving over, please use local Advice agencies

Welfare Rights Team 01382 431188 (option2)
Citizens Advice 01382 214633
Brooksbank Advice Centre 01382 432450

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 judge you or make you feel uneasy 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 Single Point of Contact Advice Line. The number to call is 01382 431188 (option 2). The Advice Line runs from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 4.30pm. It is normally staffed by two Welfare Rights Officers, a Connect Officer and an Energy Adviser who are skilled in answering detailed questions about benefits (including Universal Credit), tax credits, debt or energy advice.

Outreach Clinics Across Dundee

Although we are based within Dundee House, we are also currently offering appointments at venues within communities across Dundee. View google maps for further details. However most issues can initially be dealt with by telephone. For example if you have a form to fill in that you are struggling with then help is at hand. Contact Council Advice Services Welfare Rights Team on our duty line number 01382 431188 (option 2) and we can arrange to complete the form for you over the telephone or at a community venue at a suitable time.

Overcome Barriers to Employment

We also have the Making Money Work Team who can help individuals to overcome barriers to employment. They work within the Dundee Employability Programme 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.

Dealing with Debt E-Learning Module

Email: cas@dundeecity.gov.uk
Phone: 01382 431188 (option 2) (Advice Line Monday to Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm)

Council Advice Services, Corporate Services Department,
Floor 3, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street,
Dundee DD1 1FA

Welfare Rights

Related Links

Dundee City Council