Testimonials from One Stop Advice Centre clients

We can assist you in applying for UC including preparing for your application by helping you to gather all the information you need like your income and expenditure.  Universal Credit is a single monthly payment that combines several benefits, including income support, housing benefit, and jobseeker’s allowance. It is designed to help people on a low income or out of work.

We can help determine whether you are eligible for housing benefits and help you apply. Housing Benefits are designed to a help with rental costs for those on a low income or claiming certain benefits. It is being phased out and replaced by the housing element of Universal Credit for most people, but we can assess this with you. 

You need to apply to Luton Council for Council Tax Reduction, available to those on low incomes with children. We will help you with this application as well as for Luton's Council tax Exceptional Hardship Scheme. Both need proof for income and expenditure as well as any special circumstances. 

If you, or a family member, are aged between 16 and UK state pension age (currently 66) and need additional help with daily living tasks or mobility due to a disability or long-term health condition, which is expected to last more than 12 months we can help you apply for Personal Independent Payments if you are eligible. 

We can help you apply for Disability Living Allowance if you have a child who is under 16 and needs addtional care. Adults with additional needs now claim PIP instead (see above). 

If you or a member of your family are over state pension age (currently 66) and need personal care, help or supervision due to a disability or long-term health condition, we can help with your application. 

There is a benefit we can help you apply for if you are caring for someone (it doesn't have to be a family member) for more than 35 hours per week, provided they are receiving disability benefits. We can help you, and those you are caring for, apply for the benefits you are entitled to. 

We will help you to claim Child Benefit for any children living with you who are under 16, or under 20 in approved education. 

If one parent does not live with the children they are required to pay child maintance to help support their children. We can help you decide privately how much child maintenance needs to be paid or support you working with the UK Government's Child Maintenance Service. 

We will help you apply for a state pension which is based on the national insurance contributions you have made throughout your working life. We can also help apply for Pension Credits, a means-tested additional benefit for people over state pension age (currently 660) if your weekly income if it is below a certain amount.  

You can claim this benefit if you lose your spouse, civil partner, or the partner you were living with. You have to apply for this within three months of the death to receive the full payment and it may effect some of your benefits after 12 months. We will be able to explain all this to you and support you with your application at such a difficult time. 

Funeral Support is a grant to help people on low-income benefits cover the costs of a funeral for a close relative or friend. It must usually be repaid from the deceased’s estate if possible. 

Luton Council is offering a HSF between November 2024 and March 2025 for help with food, energy bills and other essentials. We can help you apply for this support fund and explain how to use the vounchers and benefits you might receive.