Benefits Advice

It’s important to make sure that you get all the help that you’re entitled to. Dumfries & Galloway Citizens Advice Service will help you, your family and carers identify any social security benefits you are entitled to claim. We provide practical assistance to apply for these benefits & help you identify and apply for any additional funding you may be entitled to.

We can provide assistance with benefit appeals by referring you to our specialist staff who are experienced and skilled in representing clients at First and Upper Tribunals. In addition to our generalist advisers in each bureau we also have a specialist Support4 Life team who support clients affected by a long term condition/illness/disability including individuals/families affected by terminal illness. 

At present we also have projects running that will help provide support, advice and assistance for those that are needing financial health checks and for making their first universal credit claim. In some circumstances we can arrange a home visit such as when you are unable to attend at bureau or outreach facility.

The Help to Claim team is part of a national service that can offer advice and support on Universal Credit from the first benefit check right up to the first Universal Credit Payment. Help to Claim offer advice over phone, webchat and face to face. Find out more information and contact details here.

The Money Talk Team service will support you to maximise your income by ensuring you are not paying more for essential goods and service than you need to and that you are getting all the benefits, grants and exemptions (council tax, energy) you are entitled to.

It’s really easy to get your free advice from the Money Talk team – call 0800 085 7145 or call / drop in to your local bureau. They are also available on webchat through the website here.

Find a video on what to expect when you call Money Talk Team here.

Online Guides & Resources

Citizens Advice provide a wide resource of advice, information and guidance relating to benefits at the following link:

Benefits Resources – Citizens Advice Scotland