Benefits and Money
Welfare Rights and Income Maximisation is an important part of our service – making sure you are on the right benefits when looking for work and also when in-work.
We have an in-house Welfare Rights team
They work closely with our Employment Advisers. We can advise you on your benefit entitlements, show you how these will impacted by taking up paid work, and help with the transition process.
Our Welfare Rights service works to ease financial pressures and remove barriers during the job searching process. Some benefits can continue to be paid whilst working, such as Universal Credit and Adult Disability Payment. Knowing this can make some positions of employment more viable, which especially can help those with a health condition to maintain employment.
Our team can support you with benefits and money in various ways, including:
Better off in-work & benefit entitlement calculations
We can explain in detail how a prospective job would impact your income, including the effect on any existing benefit entitlement. We can also check that you are on the right benefits and explain the different options available.
Income maximisation assessments
We offer a full income maximisation assessment to all our clients. We will check for missing benefit entitlements, financial assistance, and possible discounts on household bills. We also offer cost-of-living advice and access to targeted funds.
Assistance with benefit applications
We can check you’re getting the correct benefits before starting work, and explain what in-work benefits you can claim once you start. We can also help you with the benefits application process.
Liaison with local authorities and benefit providers
Communicating with official service providers can be difficult for some people. We can draft letters on your behalf and help you to navigate call centres. We can even accompany you to face-to-face meetings.
Help to challenge benefit decisions including representation at appeals
Challenging official decisions on benefit entitlements can be a daunting task. The process can be complicated and drawn-out, sometimes taking months before a conclusion.
Tackling this procedure can be overwhelming. We can help by assessing decisions and offering advice on what options are available to you following a decision. If required, we can help you complete the appeal paperwork. We can also help draft submissions, obtain and submit supportive evidence prior to tribunal hearings, and provide representation at the hearing.
How to get support:
Our Financial Inclusion and Income Maximisation service is available to all clients.
For more information about about Welfare Rights please contact our Welfare Rights Lead Alan Bartlett by email: Alan.Bartlett@intowork.org.uk
Alan Bartlett
Welfare Rights Lead
About AlanAlan is our Welfare Rights Lead and heads our Financial Inclusion Service. He works across different local authority areas, including Edinburgh, East Lothian, and Midlothian.
Alan has an extensive background in supporting clients with their benefit entitlements, with 17 years of experience in welfare rights. He provides support to our Employment Advisers, working 1:1 with clients and giving advice on all benefit-related matters. He also provides tailored cost-of-living/income maximisation workshops.
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