Advice Gateway provides information on the way benefits are currently claimed and paid. However, the Government has announced significant changes to the benefits system. A summary of the planned changes can be found at this link.

As changes to the benefits system are put in place, Advice Gateway will keep you up to date with what you have to do in order to make a claim.

You will normally have to fill in an application form in order to apply for a benefit. And you usually have to provide supporting information that backs up the details you have given in the application form. The benefits system is designed to provide help and financial support if you are: ill and disabled, caring for somebody, looking for work, on a low income, have dependent children, are pregnant or have recently had a baby, aged 60 or over or have been bereaved

LHS provides a complete range of web-based housing option services to more than 60 local authorities and hundreds of housing associations across the UK.

There is a quick way to check whether you might be eligible for support from the benefits system. Simply fill in the confidential questionnaire at direct.gov.uk at this link 

Before you start, make sure you have information to hand about your savings, earnings, details on any benefits or pensions you may already be receiving and the cost of your outgoings (such as council tax, rent, mortgage and child care payments).

If you rent a property from a private landlord you will also need to know your Local Housing Allowance rate. Find out more about this at this link