Consultancy
The Welfare Benefits Unit provides a consultancy service for workers in other agencies dealing with difficult cases. Workers in York and North Yorkshire can come to us to discuss a case with an adviser who will help prepare the case and provide reference material.
Some issues require a more in-depth response and may affect a whole group of people. As a result, the Welfare Benefits Unit may act to raise benefit awareness among workers advising particular groups; challenge an agency's customer service standards; or dispute centrally published government guidance on specific issues. In such cases the Welfare Benefits Unit researches the issue and establishes up-to-date law and guidance. We can also meet the workers involved, perhaps providing them with a casework strategy or negotiating on their behalf with local authority or Department for Work and Pensions staff.
Power2Empower
Project
Power2Empower will develop already established links with organisations throughout the City of York and North Yorkshire.
The overall aim of Power2Empower is to enable advisers to help their clients with complex cases, challenge decisions made by the Department for Work and Pensions or HM Revenue and Customs, and to represent their clients at benefit and tax credit tribunals. The project will provide a second tier advice line, training and a consultancy and mentoring service.
The project can be accessed by anybody providing advice within North Yorkshire, benefitting a wide range of clients.
If you would like to know more about this project please contact Richard
Porter on 01904 654821 or email richard.porter@welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk.