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Welfare Benefits
We are providing support with Housing Benefit new claims and Universal Credit new claims.
If you are having difficulties in paying your rent, have a Universal Credit or Housing Benefit query, experiencing challenges in keeping your tenancy or have a welfare concern, please get in touch here.
Unfortunately, we are not taking any new referrals for specialist benefits advice, including:
- UC50 – customers migrating from legacy benefits to Universal Credit, requiring entitlement checks
- PIP (Personal Independence Payment) – support with new claims or review forms
- CDLA (Child Disability Living Allowance) – assistance with child disability-related benefit claims
- AA (Attendance Allowance) – support for older customers applying for or reviewing attendance allowance.
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Information & Advice
To find out what benefits are available and the financial support you may be entitled to, please visit the Government website for more information: https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits
For additional resources and information, please click on the 'Benefits available' button below.
If you need more detailed benefits advice, then please contact your local authority or an organisation like Citizen's Advice. Please see a list of recommended support services below.
Independent, confidential and free advice on benefits, debt, housing and employment. They support form-filling, tribunal representation and budgeting advice.
Contact details:
- Visit the CAB website here
- Call the National England Adviceline on: 0800 144 8848 (Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm).
National charity offering online benefits calculators, grants-search tool and guidance. They don’t handle full casework but help people self-serve to check entitlements.
Contact details:
- Visit the Turn2us website here
- Telephone number: 0808 802 2000.
Advice specialised for older people around pensions, Attendance Allowance, state pension entitlements, health-related benefits.
Contact details:
- Visit the Age UK website here
- Call the Age UK Advice Line on: 0800 678 1602 (freephone for general enquiry).
Support disabled individuals (and families) in relation to benefit entitlements including PIP, ESA, assistive tech, cost of living issues.
Contact details:
- Visit the Scope website here.
- Call the Scope Helpline: 0808 800 3333 (free from UK landline/mobile).
Free, impartial debt advice charity; helps with budgeting, debt management plans and “Breathing Space” support.
Contact details:
- Visit the StepChange Debt Charity website here
- Call their Freephone debt helpline: 0800 138 1111 (Monday-Friday 8 am-8 pm; Saturday 9 am-2 pm).
National free, impartial service that complements benefit self-help by offering debt support.
Contact details:
- Visit the National Debtline website here
- Call their Freephone telephone line: 0808 808 4000 (Monday-Friday 9 am-8 pm).
Some councils in the East of England (and UK-wide) offer in-house benefit & welfare advice (e.g. Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Discretionary Housing Payments).
Click here to find your local council's website.
Online advice finder that helps you locate free support in your area for benefits, work, debt, housing, immigration, and community care. You simply enter your postcode and select the topic you need help with to get tailored results from trusted advice agencies (including Citizens Advice, Law Centres, and welfare rights services).
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Universal Credit
Universal Credit has replaced many of the former welfare benefits for people of working age who are on a low income or out of work. It is a single benefit which is paid monthly.
Even if the money is to be used for your rent, it will not be paid directly to Eastlight, and you will still have to arrange for that to be done.
Before you make an application you should:
- Verify who you are by following the guidance at www.gov.uk/verify
- Have an email address
- Have set up a bank or building society account where Universal Credit payments can be made
You will also need 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
Claims are made online at www.gov.uk/universal-credit
Please note: It can take up to five weeks before any money is received, so you may temporarily go into arrears with your rent payments.
Get in touch if you're concerned about your rent and arrears.
Payment is made up of a standard allowance and any extra amounts that apply to you, for example if you:
- Have children
- Have a disability or health condition which prevents you from working
- Need help paying your rent
You can calculate how much you might receive by visiting useful websites, such as:
If you require advice regarding a new benefit claim, including Universal Credit, please contact your local authority or support service, like Citizen's Advice.
The list below is not exhaustive. You can search online for other services that respond to your needs, or contact us and we’ll point you in the right direction.
- Citizens Advice (CAB)
Independent, confidential and free advice on benefits, debt, housing and employment. They support form-filling, tribunal representation and budgeting advice.
Contact details:
- Click here for their website
- National England Adviceline: 0800 144 8848 (Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm).
- Turn2us
National charity offering online benefits calculators, grants-search tool and guidance. They don’t handle full casework but help people self-serve to check entitlements.
Contact details:
- Click here for their website
- Phone number: 0808 802 2000.
- Age UK
Advice specialised for older people around pensions, Attendance Allowance, state pension entitlements, health-related benefits.
Contact details:
- Click here for their website
- Advice Line: 0800 678 1602 (freephone for general enquiry).
- Scope
Support disabled individuals (and families) in relation to benefit entitlements including PIP, ESA, assistive tech, cost of living issues. Contact details:
Contact details:
- Click here for their website
- Helpline: 0808 800 3333 (free from UK landline/mobile).
- StepChange Debt Charity
Free, impartial debt advice charity; helps with budgeting, debt management plans and “Breathing Space” support.
Contact details:
- Click here for their website
- Freephone debt helpline: 0800 138 1111 (Monday-Friday 8 am-8 pm; Saturday 9 am-2 pm).
- National Debtline
National free, impartial service that complements benefit self-help by offering debt support.
Contact details:
- Click here for their website
- Freephone: 0808 808 4000 (Monday-Friday 9 am-8 pm)
- Local Authority Welfare Teams / In-house council services
Some councils in the East of England (and UK-wide) offer in-house benefit & welfare advice (e.g., Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Discretionary Housing Payments).
Click here to find your local council's website.
- Advice Local
8. Online advice finder that helps you locate free support in your area for benefits, work, debt, housing, immigration, and community care. You simply enter your postcode and select the topic you need help with to get tailored results from trusted advice agencies (including Citizens Advice, Law Centres, and welfare rights services).
What other benefits are available?
Housing Benefit
Jobseeker's Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance
Discretionary Housing Payment
Bereavement Support Payment
Personal Independence Payment
Disability Living Allowance
Carer's Allowance
Attendance Allowance
State Pension
Pension Credit
