Welfare Rights, Benefits and Services

The Brittle Bone Society is often asked for information about Welfare Rights and Benefits that may be available to people with Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Although we do not provide expertise in these areas ourselves, we can signpost our members on to organisations that way be able to help with such queries.

Please see below a list of organisations who may be able to help.

Accessing Financial Help

Benefits Enquiry Line (BEL)
The Benefit Enquiry Line is a benefits helpline for people with disabilities, their carers and representatives. BEL is part of the Department of Work and Pensions. They offer confidential advice and information on benefits and how to claim them.
201 Red Rose House
Lancaster Road
Preston
Lancashire
PR1 1HB
Tel. 0800 88 22 00
(8.30am-6.30pm, Monday-Friday; 9am-1pm, Saturday)
Textphone. 0800 24 33 55
www.dwp.gov.uk

For queries on specific benefits contact the following:

Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance Unit or Disability Living Allowance Unit
Warbreck House
Warbreck Hill
Blackpool
FY2 0YE
Phone: 0845 7 12 34 56
Textphone: 0845 7 22 44 33
Lines are open between 7.30am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday.
Email. DCPU.CUSTOMER-SERVICES@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
This email is for general queries and feedback only. Please do not send personal details, as we cannot guarantee that this is a secure channel.

Carer’s Allowance
Carer’s Allowance Unit
Palatine House
Lancaster Road
Preston
PR1 1HB
Phone: 0845 608 4321
Textphone 0845 604 5312
Lines are open between 8.30am and 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and between 8.30am and 4.30pm on Fridays.
Email. cau.customer-services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
This email is for general queries and feedback only. Please do not send personal details, as we cannot guarantee that this is a secure channel.

Disability Alliance (DA)
Disability Alliance, publishers of the Disability Rights Handbook, is a leading authority on social security benefits for disabled people. They provide regularly updated information about benefits, tax credits and community care.
The Disability Rights Handbook is updated each year. It contains information on social security benefits, tax credits and related services for disabled people. It currently costs £27.50 (£12.00 if on benefits) and is available from the address below.
Universal House
88/94 Wentworth Street
London
E1 7SA
Tel. 0207 247 8776
Email. office@disabilityalliance.org
www.disabilityalliance.org

Your Rights and the Law

Equality and Human Rights Commission
The Equality and Human Rights Commission gives information and guidance on discrimination and human rights issues including disability.There are offices in Birmingham, Manchester, London, Cardiff and Glasgow.
Tel.  England  0845 604 6610
      Scotland 0845 604 5510
 Wales  0845 604 8810
(Helplines open 8am-6pm, Monday-Friday)
Textphone. 0845 604 6620
Email.  englandhelpline@equalityhumanrights.com
 scotlandhelpline@equalityhumanrights.com
 waleshelpline@equalityhumanrights.com
www.equalityhumanrights.com
Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
Enquiry Line. 028 90890 890
www.equalityni.org

Advicenow
Advicenow is an independent, not-for-profit website providing accurate, up-to-date information on rights and legal issues.
Advice Service Alliance
63 St Mary Axe
London
EC3A 8AA
www.advicenow.org.uk

Patients Association
The Patients Association provides information and advice on access to health services, complaints procedures and patients' rights.
PO Box 935
Harrow
Middlesex
HA1 3YJ
Tel. 0845 608 4455
Email. helpline@patients-association.com
www.patients-association.com

Accessing Aids and Adaptations

Disabled Living Foundation (DLF)
The DLF helps older and disabled people find equipment solutions that enable them to lead independent lives.
380/384 Harrow Road
London
W9 2HU
Te. 0845 130 9177
(Helpline open 10am-4pm, Monday-Friday)
Email. info@dlf.org.uk
www.dlf.org.uk

Assist UK
Assist UK can provide information on disabled living centres around the country. A disabled (or Independent) Living Centre (DLC) is a place where you can get free information and advice about products which can increase disabled people's choices about how they live. At a DLA you can see and try out products.
1 Portland Street
Manchester
M1 3BE
Tel. 0161 238 8776
Email. general.info@assist-uk.org
www.assist-uk.org

Dial UK
Dial UK is a national organisation for a network of 160 local Disability Information and Advice Line services (DIALS) run by and for disabled people. They provide information and advice to disabled people and others on all aspects of living with a disability within their own area.
Birch View
St Catherine's
Tickhill Road
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN4 8QN
Tel. 01302 310 123
(Helpline open 9am-5pm, Monday-Thursday; 9am-4pm Friday)
Textphone. 01302 310 123 (please use voice announcer)
Email. informationenquiries@dialuk.org.uk
www.dialuk.info

Mobilise
Mobilise is a national charity specialising in the mobilty needs of all disabled people.
National HQ
Ashwellthorpe
Norwich
NR16 1EX
Tel. 01508 489 449
Email. enquiries@mobilise.info
www.mobilise.info

Dial-a-Ride
Dial-a-Ride is a door-to-door service for disabled people who cannot use public transport. There are no national contact details but you may like to look in your local telephone directory for your local service.

Accessing Services

Carers UK
Carers UK's Carers Line provides information and advice on all aspects of caring for both carers and professionals working with carers. Topics covered include welfare rights, benefits and community care issues.
20 Great Dover Street
London
SE1 4LX
Tel. 020 738 4999
www.carersuk.org Tel.0808 808 7777
(Carers Line Open 10am-12noon, 2pm-4pm, Wednesday-Thursday)
Email. adviceline@carersuk.org
www.carerswales.org Tel.029 2081 1370
Email. info@carerswales.org
www.carerscotland.org Tel. 0141 455 3070
Email. info@carerscotland.org
www.carers.ni.org Tel. 028 9043 9843
Email. info@carersni.org

General

National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB)
The Citizens Advice Bureau service offers free confidential advice on subjects such as debt, benefits, housing, employment and consumer issues.
www.adviceguide.org.uk
Your local branch should be listed in your phone directory or visit
www.citizensadvice.org.uk (for England & Wales)
www.citizensadvice.co.uk (for bureaux in Northern Ireland)
www.cas.org.uk (for Scotland)

Directgov
The website for citizens of the UK set up by the UK Government. Provides information and online services for the public all in one place.
www.direct.gov.uk

HM Revenue and Customs
For information on VAT relief on products and services for disabled people.
www.hmrc.gov.uk

This page is meant as a useful guide to enable you to explore possible sources of information. The Brittle Bone Society does not recommend or endorse any of the services mentioned on this page.