Welfare Benefits Service

Every year, millions of pounds of social security benefits go unclaimed. Often it is those most in need who do not claim.

Welfare Benefits Service could help you

The Welfare Benefits Service is a small specialist team providing information, advice and advocacy on a range of social security benefits and other related rights. You can find a list of the range of benefits covered at the end of this page. Last year, we helped to ensure that over £4.5 million of benefits were claimed by Scottish Borders citizens - see our Annual Report below for more information. We also assist with appeals against decisions refusing benefit, including preparation for and representation at Tribunal hearings. The service is free and confidential.

Annual Report

The Welfare Benefits Service Annual Report for 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 is now available (pdf 868Kb). A Summary of the Annual Report has also been published (pdf 248Kb).

Contact the Welfare Benefits Service

For more information or advice on your entitlement to benefits, please contact your local Social Work office. If your situation is more complex, you will be referred to a specialist Welfare Benefits Officer. You can also contact Welfare Benefits directly as follows:

Welfare Benefits Service
Social Work Services
East End, Earlston TD4 6HU
Tel. 01896 849802

More contact details

Housing/Council Tax Benefits - information about claiming these can be found on the Council's Revenues and Benefits website pages.
You can also use our Web Benefits Calculator for an instant on-line estimate of Housing and Council Tax benefit. This calculation is an estimate only. You can speak to someone about making a formal claim at your local contact centre.
Income Support/Jobseekers' Allowance/Incapacity Benefit - telephone 0845 600 4250 (CMS telephone system).
Pension Credit - telephone 0845 606 0265.
Carers' Allowance may be claimed online at the Department of Work and Pensions (external website).
Cancer patients can obtain help via telephone link with Disablement Income Group (DIG), telephone 0845 123 2366.
Citizens Advice Bureau (external website).

Other useful information

The following fact sheets are also available to download:

Benefits for older people (pdf 128kb)
Benefits for children with additional needs (pdf 133kb)
Independent Living Fund (pdf 153kb)
Tax credits and child care (pdf 205Kkb)
Benefits and tax credits for foster carers (pdf 124kb)
Students and tax credit (pdf 214kb)
The Civil Partnership Act and social security benefits (pdf 68.4kb)

Benefits covered

Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Incapacity Benefit (and other benefits for people who are unfit for work), Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance (AA), Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Social Fund, Benefits for Carers, Pension Credit