You can use an online tool to find out if you may be entitled to welfare benefits.

A benefits checker can quickly tell you if you are entitled to any benefits and give you basic information about what support is available. You can then use a benefits calculator to find out your full entitlement, how much you might get and how to claim.

This tool is designed to give you quick information about what may be available to you. You will be asked a few questions about your circumstances.

To apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP):

1. Call the DWP on 08009 172 222 to ask for an application form.
2. Make sure you have the following information ready when you call:
   • Your contact details
   • Date of birth
   • National Insurance number
   • Your bank or building society account number and sort code
   • Your doctor or health worker’s name and contact details
   • Dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital
3. If you need help filling in the form, contact us once you receive it to book an appointment.

Other ways to contact PIP

• Textphone: 08009 177 777
• Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 08009 172 222

To apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP):

1. Call the DWP on 08009 172 222 to ask for an application form.
2. Make sure you have the following information ready when you call:
   • Your contact details
   • Date of birth
   • National Insurance number
   • Your bank or building society account number and sort code
   • Your doctor or health worker’s name and contact details
   • Dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital
3. If you need help filling in the form, contact us once you receive it to book an appointment.

Other ways to contact PIP

• Textphone: 08009 177 777
• Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 08009 172 222

If you have already claimed Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and need information about your claim or to report a change, you can call the PIP enquiry line on 08001 214 433.

If the DWP has sent you a letter which you don't understand, have it with you when you phone. They may ask you to confirm your name, national insurance number and award entitlement.

Other ways to contact the PIP enquiry line

• Textphone: 08001 214 493
• Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 08001 214 433

To request a mandatory reconsideration, contact the benefits office that gave you the decision.

You can contact them by phone, by letter or by filling in a form.

You must apply for a mandatory reconsideration within one month from the date the original decision was sent to you.

If you miss the one month deadline it’s still worth asking for a mandatory reconsideration, provided you do so within 13 months of the decision.

The decision on your mandatory reconsideration will be sent to you in a letter with the words ‘Mandatory Reconsideration Notice’ at the top.

If you have received a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice and are still unhappy with the DWP’s decision on your benefit claim, you can appeal.

You must make your appeal within one month of the date shown on the Mandatory Reconsideration Notice.

After you submit your appeal you can provide evidence to support your claim.

The appeal will then be decided at a tribunal hearing.

If you have already claimed Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and you need information about your claim or to report a change, you can call the Jobcentre Plus enquiry line on 08001 690 310.

Alternatively, you can write to the Jobcentre Plus office that pays your ESA - the address is on the letters you get about your ESA.

Other ways to contact Jobcentre Plus

• Textphone: 08001 690 314
• Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 08001 690 310

To request a mandatory reconsideration, contact the benefits office that gave you the decision.

You can contact them by phone, by letter or by filling in a form.

You must apply for a mandatory reconsideration within one month from the date the original decision was sent to you.

If you miss the one month deadline it’s still worth asking for a mandatory reconsideration, provided you do so within 13 months of the decision.

The decision on your mandatory reconsideration will be sent to you in a letter with the words ‘Mandatory Reconsideration Notice’ at the top.

How can I appeal an ESA decision without a mandatory reconsideration?

In some cases you can appeal an ESA decision about whether you are fit to work without having to do a mandatory reconsideration. This may apply if:

• It's the first time you have failed the Work Capability Assessment
• It's the first time you have failed the Work Capability Assessment since a previous decision that you did not fail

Check your decision letter to find out if you need to do a mandatory reconsideration. If you don't, you can appeal to an independent tribunal instead. If you think this applies but are unsure what to do we can help you.

If you have received a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice and are still unhappy with the DWP’s decision on your benefit claim, you can appeal.

You must make your appeal within one month of the date shown on the Mandatory Reconsideration Notice.

After you submit your appeal you can provide evidence to support your claim.

The appeal will then be decided at a tribunal hearing.

In most cases, you will need to claim Universal Credit (UC) online.

1. Make sure you have the following information when you apply:
   • Your bank account details (call the Universal Credit helpline if you do not have one)
   • An email address
   • Information about your housing, for example how much rent you pay
   • Details of your income. For example payslips, details of savings and any investments like shares or a property that you rent out
   • Details of how much you pay for childcare if you’re applying for help with childcare costs
   • Proof of identity, for example driving licence or passport
2. After you apply you will be contacted within 10 working days to arrange an interview with Jobcentre Plus.
3. If you have a disability or health condition you may need a work capability assessment. You'll be told if you need one after you claim.

If you can't make a claim online or you need support to do so, you can contact the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service.

Their advisers will explain the process to you and help get your claim up and running.

If you have already claimed Universal Credit (UC) and you need information about your claim or to report a change, you can message your work coach in your online UC journal.

Alternatively, you can call the UC enquiry line on 08003 285 644.

Other ways to contact UC

Textphone: 08003 281 344.

Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 08003 285 644

You can ask for a mandatory reconsideration by writing a message in your online Universal Credit journal.

Alternatively, you can request a mandatory reconsideration by contacting the benefits office that gave you the decision.

You can contact the benefits office by phone, by letter or by filling in a form.

You must apply for a mandatory reconsideration within one month from the date the original decision was sent to you.

If you miss the one month deadline it’s still worth asking for a mandatory reconsideration, provided you do so within 13 months of the decision.

The decision on your mandatory reconsideration will be sent to you in a letter with the words ‘Mandatory Reconsideration Notice’ at the top.

If you have received a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice and are still unhappy with the DWP’s decision on your benefit claim, you can appeal.

You must make your appeal within one month of the date shown on the Mandatory Reconsideration Notice.

After you submit your appeal you can provide evidence to support your claim.

The appeal will then be decided at a tribunal hearing.

To claim DLA for a child you need to be their parent or look after them as if you’re their parent. To apply for Disability Living Allowance (DLA):

1. Call the DLA helpline on 08001 214 600 to ask for an application form.
2. If you need help filling in the form, contact us once you receive it to book an appointment.

Other ways to contact the DLA helpline

• Textphone: 08001 214 523
• Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 08001 214 600

If you have already claimed Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and you need information about your claim or to report a change, you can call the DLA helpline on 08001 214 600.

Other ways to contact DLA

• Textphone: 08001 214 523
• Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 08001 214 600

To request a mandatory reconsideration, contact the benefits office that gave you the decision.

You can contact the benefits office by phone, by letter or by filling in a form.

You must apply for a mandatory reconsideration within one month from the date the original decision was sent to you.

If you miss the one month deadline it’s still worth asking for a mandatory reconsideration, provided you do so within 13 months of the decision.

The decision on your mandatory reconsideration will be sent to you in a letter with the words ‘Mandatory Reconsideration Notice’ at the top.

If you have received a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice and are still unhappy with the DWP’s decision on your benefit claim, you can appeal.

You must make your appeal within one month of the date shown on the Mandatory Reconsideration Notice.

After you submit your appeal you can provide evidence to support your claim.

The appeal will then be decided at a tribunal hearing.

To claim DLA for a child you need to be their parent or look after them as if you’re their parent. To apply for Disability Living Allowance (DLA):

1. Call the DLA helpline on 08001 214 600 to ask for an application form.
2. If you need help filling in the form, contact us once you receive it to book an appointment.

Other ways to contact the DLA helpline

• Textphone: 08001 214 523
• Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 08001 214 600