List of organisations providing benefits advice

The organisations listed below offer advice or case work in welfare benefits. Listings start with the catchment area for the organisation. Most organisations are members of DIAL UK (there are around 80 DIAL member organisations in the UK ). For details of DIAL member organisations offering benefits information or help with any other issue, contact DIAL UK on 01302 310123 or visit www.dialuk.info/index.asp.

Many law centres also provide benefits advice. The Law Centres Federation lists law centres in England , Northern Ireland and Wales on its website at www.lawcentres.org.uk (phone 0207428 4401). Scottish law centres are listed on Govan Law Centre's website at www.govanlc.com (phone 0141 440 2503)

England

Barnsley Metropolitan District – DIAL Barnsley, 9 Doncaster Road, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 1TH (01226 240273 – Mon-Thur 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-2pm)

Bath and North East Somerset – SWAN Advice Network, Leigh House, 1 Wells Hill, Radstock BA3 3RN (01761 437176 – 10am-12pm). Also provides a volunteer transport system in Bath and North East Somerset.

Bedfordshire and Luton – Disability Resource Centre (Dunstable), Poynters House, Poynters Road , Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU5 4TP (01582 470900 – 10am-12.30pm & 1.30-4pm) www.drcbeds.co.uk

Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde – Disability Information & Support (Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde), Whitegate Resource Centre, 259 Whitegate Drive, Blackpool, Lancashire FY3 9JL (01253 472202; 01253 472203; Fax 01253 476450 – 10am-4pm)

Blyth Valley – Blyth Valley Disabled Forum, The Eric Tollhurst Centre, 3-13 Quay Road , Blyth , Northumberland NE24 2AS (01670 364657)

Bradford Metropolitan District – Disability Advice Bradford, 103 Dockfield Road , Shipley, West Yorkshire BD17 7AR (01274 594173 – Mon-Fri 9.30am-3.15pm) www.disabilityadvice.org.uk

Brighton and Hove – Disability Advice Centre (Brighton & Hove), 6 Hove Manor, Hove Street , Hove , East Sussex BN3 2DF (01273 203016 – 10am-4pm) www.bhfederation.org.uk

Bristol – Disability Information and Advice Service, WECIL, The Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue , Fishponds, Bristol BS16 2QQ (0117 983 2828 – Tue, Wed, Thur 10am-1pm; Fax 0117 983 6765)

Calderdale – Calderdale DART, Harrison House, 10 Harrison Road , Halifax , West Yorkshire HX1 2AF (01422 346040 – Mon, Tues & Thur 10am-4pm)

Cambridgeshire (not Huntingdonshire) – Disability Cambridgeshire, 1 Orwell Furlong, Cowley Road , Cambridge , Cambridgeshire CB4 0WY (01223 569600 – 10am-12.30pm & 1.30-4pm) www.disability-cambridgeshire.org.uk

Cheshire & North Flintshire – DIAL House Chester, DIAL House, Hamilton Place , Chester , Cheshire CH1 2BH (01244 345655 – 10am-4pm) www.dialhousechester.org.uk

Coventry and Warwickshire – Council of Disabled People Warwickshire and Coventry, Room 6, Unit 15, Koco Building, Arches Industrial Estate, Spon End, Coventry CV1 3JQ (Tel, Minicom & Fax 02476 712984) www.cdp.org.uk

Derby – Disability Direct, 227 Normanton Road , Derby , Derbyshire DE23 6UT (01332 299449) www.disabilitydirect.com

Doncaster – DIAL Doncaster, Unit 9, Shaw Wood Business Park, Shaw Wood Way, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN2 5TB (01302 327800 – Mon-Thur 9.30am-4pm, Fri 9.30am-3pm; Minicom 01302 768297) www.dialdoncaster.co.uk Also offers wheelchair hire and holiday lodge hire.

Dorset, New Forest, South Wiltshire, South Somerset – Disability Wessex, Ground Floor, 5 Stratfield Saye, 20-22 Wellington Road, Bournemouth BH8 8JN (01202 589999 – 10am-4pm) www.disabilitywessex.org.uk Specialisations in direct payments and autistic spectrum disorders.

Essex, Southend and Thurrock – Disability Essex (EPDA), Centre for Disability Studies, Rocheway, Rochford, Essex SS4 1DQ (0844 412 1771; Fax 0844 880 0614; Helpline 0844 412 1770 – Mon-Fri 10am-4pm; Access and Equality Consultancy 0800 197 5040) www.disabilityessex.org Partners in Disability East information network. Provides accredited training in disability access auditing and equality, and carries out IT research with London Metropolitan University .

Essex (South) – DIAL Basildon and South Essex, The Basildon Centre, St Martin's Square, Basildon , Essex SS14 1DL (0845 450 3001/3002 – 10am-4pm) www.dialbasildon.co.uk

Great Yarmouth borough – DIAL Great Yarmouth, 12a George Street , Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 1HR (01493 856900 – 9am-4pm).

Hampshire (South East) – DIAL Portsmouth , Frank Sorrell Centre, Prince Albert Road , Southsea, Hampshire PO4 9HR (023 9282 4853 – 10am-4pm)

Herefordshire – ABLE, The Warehouse, 16-20 Coningsby Street , Hereford , Herefordshire HR1 2DY (01432 277770) www.ablehereford.com

Hertfordshire – DISH (Disability Information Service Hertfordshire), PO Box 979 , St Albans , Hertfordshire AL1 9JF (0800 181067 – 10am-4pm) www.dish.uk.net

Huntingdonshire – Disability Huntingdonshire, Pendrill Court , Papworth Everard, Cambridgeshire CB23 3UY (01480 830833 – Mon-Thur 9.30am-2.30pm) www.dish.org.uk

Ipswich – Ipswich Disabled Advice Bureau, 19 Tower Street , Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3BE (01473 217313 – Tue-Fri 10am-2pm) www.ipswichdab.org.uk

Kent – DIAL Kent, 9a Gorrell Road , Whitstable , Kent CT5 1RN (01227 771155 – Mon-Thur 10am-2pm, Fri 10am-1pm) www.dialkent.org.uk

Kent (North West) – DIAL North West Kent, Northfleet Veterans Hall, The Hill, Northfleet, Kent DA11 9EU (01474 321761 – 11am-3pm) www.dialnwk.co.uk

Lancashire (West) – West Lancs Disability Helpline, Whelmar House, 2nd Floor, Southway, Skelmersdale, Lancashire WN8 6NN (0800 220676 – 24-hr answerphone) Opening hours Mon, Tues, Thur 10am-4pm, Wed & Fri 10am-1pm. www.wldh.org.uk

Leeds Metropolitan District – DIAL Leeds, The Mary Thornton Suite, Armley Grange Drive, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS12 3QH (0113 214 3630 – Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri 10.30am-3.30pm)

Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland – mosaic, 2 Richard III Road , Leicester , Leicestershire LE3 5QT (0116 251 5565; Fax 0116 251 9969; Helpline 0116 262 6900 – Mon-Thur 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-4.30pm) www.mosaic1898.co.uk

Lincolnshire (North) – Carers' Support Centre, 11 Redcombe Lane , Brigg, Lincolnshire DN20 8AU (01652 650585; Fax 01652 653637) www.carerssupportcentre.com

Lowestoft and Waveney area – DIAL Lowestoft & Waveney, Waveney Centre for Independent Living, 161 Rotterdam Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 2EZ (01502 511333 – 9am-12pm & 1-3pm) www.dialnet.f2s.com

Midlands (West) – Freshwinds, Freshwinds House, Prospect Hall, 12 College Walk, Selly Oak B29 6LE (0121 415 6670; Fax 0121 415 6699) www.freshwinds.org.uk

Milton Keynes Unitary Authority – Milton Keynes Centre for Integrated Living (MK CIL), 330 Saxon Gate West, Milton Keynes MK9 2ES (01908 231344; Fax 01908 231335; Phone service, drop-in and equipment display Mon-Fri 10am-4pm) www.mkweb.co.uk/mk_disability/home.asp

New Forest and surrounding area – New Forest Disability Information Service, 6 Osborne Road, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6AD (01425 628750) www.newforestdis.org.uk

Northern England – Disability North, The Dene Centre, Castle Farm Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear NE3 1PH (0191 284 0480 – Mon-Fri 10am-4pm; Textphone 18001 0191 284 0480; Benefits Advice and Equipment and Adaptation Advice 0191 284 0480) www.disabilitynorth.org.uk

Nuneaton, Bedworth and surrounding areas – DIAL Nuneaton & Bedworth, New Ramsden Centre, School Walk, Attleborough, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 4PJ (024 7634 9954 – Mon-Thur 9am-4pm) www.nbdial.org.uk

Peterborough area – DIAL Peterbrough, The Kingfisher Centre, The Cresset, Bretton, Peterborough , Cambridgeshire PE3 8DX (01733 265551 – Mon-Thur 10am-4pm) www.dialpeterborough.org.uk

Plymouth area – Disability Information & Advice Centre, Ernest English House, Buckwell Street , Plymouth , Devon PL1 2DA (01752 201065 – Mon 10am-1pm, Tue-Fri 10am-1pm & 2-4pm) www.plymouthguild.org.uk Provides advice on disability and carers issues and welfare benefits.

Preston and surrounding area – Preston DISC Ltd, 103 Church Street, Preston, Lancashire PR1 3BS (01772 558863 – 9.30am-4pm) www.prestondisc.org.uk

Rotherham area – Rotherham's Disability Information Service, c/o Central Library, Walker Place, Rotherham, South Yorkshire S65 1JH (01709 373658 – Mon-Thur 9am-4.30pm; Drop-in service Mon, Tue, Thur 10am-12.30pm)

St Helens – DASH (Disability Advice & Information St Helens), Central Library, Victoria Square, St Helens, Merseyside WA10 1DY (01744 453053) www.merseyworld.com/dash

Sandwell Borough – CARES Sandwell, The Carers Centre, 2 Bearwood Road, Smethwick, West Midlands B66 4HH (0121 558 7003) www.carers.org/sandwell Information, advice and support for unpaid family carers and the people they look after.

Scarborough – Scarborough & District Disablement Action Group, Allatt House, 5 West Parade Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO12 5ED (01723 379397) www.scarboroughdag.org.uk

Selby District Council – DIAL Selby & District, 12 Park Street , Selby, North Yorkshire YO8 4PW (01757 210495 – 10am-3pm).

Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin – a4u, Louise House, Roman Road , Shrewsbury , Shropshire SY3 9JN (Advice line 0845 602 5561 – 9am-4pm; Fax 01743 251521)

Solihull Borough – DIAL Solihull, 67 The Parade, Kingshurst, West Midlands B37 6BB (0121 770 0333 – 10am-3pm)

Somerset (North) – DIAL Weston-super-Mare, Room 5, Roselawn, 28 Walliscote Grove Road , Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset BS23 1UJ (01934 419426 – Tue & Thur 11am-3pm, Wed & Fri 10am-2pm) www.westondial.bravehost.com

Southend Borough – DIAL Southend, 29-31 Alexandra Street , Southend on Sea, Essex SS1 1BW (0800 731 6372 – 10am-3.45pm) www.dialsouthend.org

Suffolk (Central) – Optua Advice and Advocacy, Red Gables, Ipswich Road , Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 1BE (01449 672781; Typetalk 01449 775999; Fax 01449 770135) www.optua.org.uk

Suffolk coastal area – Disability Advice Service (East Suffolk), Cedar House, Pytches Road , Woodbridge , Suffolk IP12 1EP (01394 387070 – Mon-Thur 10am-3pm) www.daseastsuffolk.plus.com

Suffolk (West) – Optua Advice and Advocacy, West Suffolk Disability Resource Centre, Papworth House, 4 Bunting Road, Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk IP32 7BX (01284 748800 – Mon-Thur 10am-3pm) www.optua.org.uk

Wigan and Leigh – Paveways Plus Disability Advice Line, Sunshine House, Scholes, Wigan WN1 3SA (01942 519909 – 10am-4pm) www.paveways.net

Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset (excluding Swindon) – Wiltshire & Bath Independent Living Trust, Independent Living Centre, St George's Road, Semington, Wiltshire BA14 6JQ (01380 871007; Helpline 0845 1110079) www.ilc.org.uk

Worcestershire (North) – DIAL North Worcestershire, In Connect Wyre Forest, 10-12 Blackwell Street , Kidderminster , Worcestershire DY10 2DP (0800 970 7202 – 10am-4pm) www.nwdial.org.uk

Worcestershire (South) – DIAL South Worcestershire, 54 Friary Walk, Crowngate Centre, Worcester, Worcestershire WR1 3LE (01905 27790; Typetalk 01905 22191 – 9am-3pm)

London

Greenwich Borough – Greenwich Association of Disabled People, The Forum @ Greenwich, Trafalgar Road, Greenwich, London SE10 9EQ (020 8305 2221) Also operates personal assistants agency, provides young people's services, training and consultancy, and advocacy against hate crime.

Hackney Borough - Central Africa's Rights & AIDS (CARA) Society, 18 - 22 Ashwin Street, Dalston, Hackney, London E8 3DL (Tel: +44(0)20 7254 6415 - Mob.:+44(0)7956 95 26 45 - Fax: +44(0)872 115 8436 - Email: caraas@hotmail.com - Mon - Fri 10:00 - 4:30pm) www.cara-online.org

Hounslow Borough – Disability Network Hounslow, 121 High Street , Brentford, London TW8 8AT (020 8758 2048 – Mon-Fri 10am-4.30pm) www.disabilitynetworkhounslow.org

Lambeth – Disability Advice Service Lambeth, 336 Brixton Road , Lambeth, London SW9 7AA (020 7738 5656 – Mon-Fri 10am-1pm) www.disabilitylambeth.org.uk .

Richmond Borough – Richmond Advice & Information on Disability, Disability Action and Advice Centre, 4 Waldegrave Road, Teddington TW11 8HT (020 8831 6070 – 11am-4pm) www.richmondaid.org.uk Also provides gardening assistance.

Waltham Forest – DIAL Waltham Forest, Community Place, 806 High Road, Leyton, London E10 6AE (Helpline 020 8539 8884 – Mon, Tue, Thur & Fri 10am-4pm)

Wandsworth Borough – Disability and Social Care Advice Service (Wandsworth), 5th Floor, Bedford House, 215 Balham High Road , Balham, London SW17 7BQ (020 8333 6949 – 10am-4pm)

Scotland

Dunbartonshire (East) – Contact Point in East Dunbartonshire , The Park Centre, 45 Kerr Street , Kirkintilloch G66 1LF (0141 578 0183)

Glasgow areas G11 to G15 – The Three Eyes Project, 52 Knightscliffe Avenue , Knightscliffe, Glasgow G13 2TE (0141 954 8432)

Lanarkshire (South) – South Lanarkshire Disability Forum, 42 Campbell Street , Hamilton , South Lanarkshire ML3 6AS (01698 307733 – 10am-4.30pm) www.sldf.org.uk

Scotland-wide – Wellbeing Initiative, Skypark 5, 45 Finneston Street , Glasgow G3 8JU (0141 248 1899 – Mon-Thur 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-4pm) www.volunteerglasgow.org

Wales

Anglesey (North) – Taran Disability Forum, Mon Resource Centre, Unit 10A Mona Industrial Park , Gwalchmai, Anglesey LL65 4RJ (01407 721925 – 10am-4pm)

South East Wales – Disability Advice Project, Unit E, Avondale Business Park, Avondale Way, Cwmbran NP44 1XE (01633 485865 – Mon-Fri 10am-4pm; Fax 01633 485866) www.dap-wales.org.uk

Swansea , Neath, Port Talbot – DIAL Swansea , Neath, Port Talbot, 300 Carmathen Road , Cwmbwrla, Swansea SA5 8NJ (01792 455565; Fax 01792 455570) www.dialsnpt.org

WHERE CAN I GET HELP?

You should seek further advice if you want to challenge a decision about your benefit. You can get help with your appeal at a local advice centre, such as a citizen's advice bureau. You can get more information about this from our factsheet F15, Finding a local advice centre, which is available at www.cara-online.org

Central Africa’s Rights & AIDS (CARA) Society has also published Benefit appeals - A guide to benefit appeals for advisers and disabled people. This guide helps you prepare for an appeal tribunal and will increase your chances of success at the hearing. It takes you through all the stages of the benefit decision-making process from the moment you receive an unsatisfactory decision through to the tribunal hearing.

It is available to have a look at it on our website at www.cara-online.org or by contacting Central Africa’s Rights & AIDS (CARA) Society on Tel: +44(0)20 7254 6415 (voice and minicom) - Mob.:+44(0)7956 95 26 45 - Fax: +44(0)872 115 8436 - Email: caraas@hotmail.com

Updated July 2009