Independent Advocacy and Welfare Benefits:
Ceartas works in partnership East Dunbartonshire Citizens Advice Bureau to support people in East Dunbartonshire to apply for DWP Benefits, Allowances, Credits and Payments.
These include things like:
- Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance (AA)
- Pension Credits.
Our colleagues at East Dunbartonshire CAB are fully trained in the latest developments in the DWP Benefits system, so we always refer people to CAB for Income Maximisation Checks, and for them to complete DWP forms in order to make sure that people receive everything they are entitled to.
Ceartas works directly with people who have to attend assessments for ESA and PIP. As well as accompanying them to the Assessment itself, we will meet them beforehand to help them prepare for the assessment.
Research from Citizens Advice Scotland shows that most of the money raised through Income Maximisation is spent in local communities, stimulating local economies as well as increasing the quality of life for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.