Welfare benefits

Here are some independent agencies and centres where you can get information, advice and legal help for all ages and life stages about entitlement to all welfare benefits and tax credits.

They offer help with benefit checks and claims, providing evidence and information, challenging decisions and better off calculations. 

If you satisfy the legal aid eligibility criteria please call the Community Legal Service Direct for free telephone advice

Community Legal Advice
Offers quality legal information and advice by telephone and advises on how to find a solicitor or legal adviser in your area.
Tel: 0845 345 4345 

For face to face services across Southwark available in all GP surgeries.

For rent or council tax benefits and eligibility please visit our housing and council tax benefit pages. 

Citizen Advice Bureaux offer a range of services including welfare benefits. The local Southwark offices are

Bermondsey Citizens' Advice Bureau
Tel: 0870 121 2016
Fax: 020 7231 4410
8 Market Place
Southwark Park Road
London SE16 3UQ 

Peckham Citizens Advice Bureau
Tel: 0870 121 2016
Fax: 020 7732 2497 admin@peckhamcab.org.uk
97 Peckham High Street
SE15 5RS

You can also visit the main Citizens Advice Bureau's online Adviceguide.

For access to public information you can visit the Directgov site for public services including money, tax and benefits information.

Other local advice centres include:

• Blackfriars Advice Centre
  Tel:  020 7701 3999
  Fax: 020 7701 0882
  centre@blackfriars-advice.com
  199 Walworth Road
  London SE17 1RL 

• Multi-Lingual Community Rights Shop
  Tel: 020 7703 4442
  Fax: 020 7703 8343 
  mlcrs213@gmail.com
  213 Camberwell Road
  London SE5 0HG
• Southwark Disablement Association
  Tel: 020 7701 1391
  Fax: 020 7277 0481
  sda@dircon.co.uk
  Aylesbury Day Centre
  2 Bradenham Close
  London SE17 2QB
  
• Southwark Refugee Project
  Phone: 020 7703 4046
  Fax: 020 7701 7812
  swkrefproj@aol.com
  c/o STCC
  161 Sumner Road
  Peckham
  London SE15 6JL