Welfare Rights and Benefits advice Fact sheet
Islington Peoples Rights (IPR)
6-9 Manor Gardens
London
N7 6LA
Telephone Advice Line: 020 7561 3685
Website: This is unavailable at present as it is being updated.
The Telephone Advice Line is available at the following times: Monday, Tuesdays and Fridays: 2.00pm to 4.00pm.
Website address is www.ipradvice.org.uk
Islington Peoples Rights (IPR) are able to offer independent benefit or money advice. They can help you when applying, appealing or trying to sort out benefits and when in need of assistance with financial issues or debt support. IPR can arrange an interpreter if needed for your appointment.
Disability Law Service
39 45 Cavell Street
London
E1 2BP
Tel: 020 7791 9800
Fax: 020 7791 9802
Minicom: 020 7791 9800
Email: advice@dls.org.uk
Website: Not available at present as its being updated.
The Disability Law Service provides free, confidential legal advice and representation to disabled people. The Disability Law Service provides advice and legal representation on:
•	Community Care 
•	Consumer/Contract Law 
•	Education 
•	Employment and Benefits
The Switchboard is open for enquiries Monday to Friday 10.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm.
Benefit Enquiry Line for people with Disabilities
Tel: 0800 882200
Fax: 01772 238953
Textphone: 0800 243355
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk
The Benefit Enquiry Line for people with Disabilities provides free information on any benefits available. It includes information on Sickness, DLA, Invalid Care Allowance and other information on benefits for carers. They are open: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6.30pm and Saturdays 9.00am to 1.00pm.
Mary Ward Legal Centre
26-27 Boswell Street
London
WC1N 3JZ
Tel: 020 7831 7079
Fax: 020 7831 5431
Email: enquiries@marywardlegal.org.uk
Website: www.marywardlegal.org.uk
Mary Ward Legal Centre gives help and advice on Debt, Employment, Housing and Welfare Benefits. The Welfare Benefits advice can only be given to clients whose case is in conjunction with other issues unless they are referred directly through Camden CAB service. They are available Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm (Closed at lunchtime: 1.00am to 2.00pm). Interpreters can be arranged if you let them know in advance. The offices are on the ground floor. They are wheelchair accessible via a mobile ramp and lift up 3 steps.
The Benefits Agency
30 Drysdale Street
London
N1 6LT
Tel: 020 7749-7000
Fax: 020 7739-7151/9036
The Benefits agency has many different offices for Islington residents. The office in Drysdale Street deals with Income Support claims for those in the N1, N4, N5, N6 and N7 areas and will be able to refer you on to the relevant office within the borough to make a claim.
Disability Living Allowance
Walbreck House
Walbreck Hill
Blackpool
FY2 OYE
Tel: 0845 7123456
Minicom: 0845 7224433
Initial claim forms for Disability Living Allowance can be obtained by contacting this office.
Department of Works & Pensions
Public Enquiries Office
Correspondence Unit
Room 540
The Adelphi
1-11 John Adam Street
London
WC2N 6HT
Tel: 020 7712 2171 (Public Enquiry Office)
Fax: 020 7712 2386
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk
Disability Unit
Department of Works & Pensions
Level 6, Adelphi
1-11 John Adam Street
London
WC2N 6HT
Tel: 020 7712 2171 (Public Enquiry Office)
Website: www.disability.gov.uk
The Department of Works and Pensions (Previously Department of Employment) office is open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm. General enquiries regarding employment and local contacts can be obtained by contacting the Public Enquiry Office.
Housing Benefits Enquiries
PO Box 34750
London
N7 9WF
Tel: 020 7527 4990
Any enquiries regarding Housing Benefit should be made on the above number and they will be able to refer you on to your local Neighbourhood Office. There are different Neighbourhood offices depending on your area and these are frequently changing therefore you will be able to find these out and ensure you have correct details by calling first.
Jobcentre Plus Agencies in Islington
National Jobcentre Plus:
Website: www.jobcentre.plus.gov.uk
Barnsbury Jobcentre Plus
1 Barnsbury Road
London
N1 OEX
Tel: No number available at present.
Disability Employment Advisor: Alison Probert
Tel: 020 7301 3866
Mobile: 07800 676327
Email: alisoun.probert@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk
The Jobcentres are in the process of being merged with the benefit offices to establish the new jobcentre plus agencies. The contact details are therefore frequently changing at present. The following offices are likely to remain as Jobcentre Plus agencies and you are most likely to be able to contact your local Disability Employment Advisor (D.E.A.) directly at the offices listed above. Your local D.E.A. may be able to offer you basic advice on benefits available in relation to new schemes for employment. You may also find it helpful to check the national website for up to date information on your local Jobcentre Plus agency or if you would prefer independent advice then you may like to contact some of the other agencies listed on this fact sheet.
Access to Work (ATW)
London Region Access to Work Business Centre
Windsor House
185 Ealing Road
London
HA0 4LW
Tel: 020 8218 2716
Fax: 020 8218 2715
Minicom: 020 8218 2715
Email: AtWlondonwest@jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Access to work provides services for people with disabilities and employers (including special schemes to assist with the funding of equipment, adaptations and transport). Literature describing services and schemes, videos, guidance document, etc. are also available. Access to work will carry out assessments to find out about your disability and any related employment needs. Any applications for ATW should be made within the first 6 weeks of your employment contract. Again any independent advice can be obtained through some of the other agencies listed on the fact sheet.
Some Useful Islington Council Contacts:
Islington Council
222 Upper Street
London
N1 1XR
Islington Council Switchboard
Tel: 020 7527 2000
Islington Housing Benefit 
Tel: 020 7527 4990
Islington Council Tax
Tel: 020 7527 2633
Fax: 020 527 2168
Islington Council Website: www.islington.gov.uk
Islington Councils main switchboard is based at 222 Upper Street, and direct lines through to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Offices can be obtained from there. Direct lines can also be obtained on the listed telephone numbers.
Islington Council
Town Hall
Upper Street
London N1 2UD
Islington Council Central Complaints Unit
Islington Town Hall
Upper Street
London N1 2UD
Tel: 020 7527-3007
Fax: 020 7527-2168
The Town Hall, Upper Street is where any complaints regarding services can be made.
National Debtline
Freephone Tel: 0808 808 4000 also with a 24 hour voicemail service.
E-mail: advice@nationaldebtline.co.uk
Website: nationaldebtline.co.uk
National Debtline provide advice on debt. They are available Mon-Friday 9.00am-9.00pm and Saturday 9.30am to 1.00pm.
Shelterline
Registered address:
88 Old Street
London
EC1V 9HU
Tel: 0808 800 4444 (24hr housing advice)
Tel: 020 7505 2000 (Main Switchboard)
Fax: 020 7505 2169
Email: info@shelter.org.uk
Website: www.shelter.org.uk
Shelter is a registered charity which provides key housing aid, advice and representation on all areas of housing law and rights. Shelter is part of The National Campaign for Homeless People.
Solicitors
Solicitors and specialist legal support is available via the CLS (Community Legal Service) directory. If you need to gain access to the CLS directory, or want support around arranging an initial appointment with an appropriate solicitor, please feel free to contact DAI.
Community Legal Services Call Centre
Tel: 0845 6081122
Minicom: 0845 6096677
Website: www.justask.org.uk
Solicitors and specialist legal support is available through Community Legal Services Call Centre.