WHERE TO GO FOR HELP
For advice about what benefits you might be entitled to and how to apply, go to Castlegate or CAB, or call the Council's Benefits Enquiry Line. Castlegate will also help with filling in forms, and you can use the phone there too. Someone from the Benefits Enquiry Line can also visit you at home if necessary or you can make an appointment at their office. Future Prospects can help with benefits if they are linked to work or learning.
If you are having problems with your Housing Benefit claim, or you need help to make sure your claim is ready to be worked out, you can speak to/see the same HB Officer each time, which should help sort out problems early on. Phone/text for a young person's rep.
You might find the Jobcentre Plus or Direct gov websites useful.
GENERAL ADVICE
Most benefits claims are started over the phone, by ringing the JobCentre Plus new claims helpline. Tax Credits and Child Benefit have their own helpline numbers. If using the phone is a problem to you, go to the JobCentre Plus and ask for help. If the new claims helpline arranges to phone you back and you miss the call, make sure you call them back or it can delay your claim. Make sure you check and correct any information they send back to you. Provide any extra information they ask for as soon as possible. Get help if you need it or help with filling in forms.
You will need your postcode, and National Insurance number - but if you don't have it, don't let that delay you. You will only usually get benefits from the time when you first start your claim but it's worth asking for your claim to be backdated if you have good reason. Tax Credits can be backdated up to 3 months. You will also need identification (passport, birth certificate, bank papers etc).
If you have no money while you are waiting for your first payment, you may be able to get a Crisis Loan.
Benefits are normally paid into your bank or building society account, or Post Office card account. If this is a problem, ask at JobCentre Plus.
You will receive a written decision about any claim for benefits. If you think the decision is wrong, you have the right to appeal, and they may change their decision if they look at it again. Get advice.