Specialist teams

Macmillan Welfare Rights

We work in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support to offer advice to people affected by cancer on all aspects of social security benefits. We can help with benefit claims and appeals and can apply for grants.

If you need our support, you should speak to your Macmillan nurse or doctor, who will refer you to us. Alternatively you can contact us directly by e-mail - macmillan@durham.gov.uk or by phone 03000 268988.

If you're affected by mental health

If you're affected by mental health, contact us - we work closely with specialist mental health services and support organisations to offer you benefits advice.

If you're at risk of losing your home

If you're at risk of losing your home, contact us - we work closely with the Housing Solutions team to see how we can support you with your benefit claims and the issues you are having to put you in this situation.

Helping people who have additional support needs

We work closely with social workers to help people with learning disabilities, people using sensory support services, children with disabilities, care leavers and people moving into supported housing.

If you need our support, please speak to your social worker or contact us directly.

Campaigns

We work to ensure older people in County Durham are receiving the money they are entitled to. We write to people aged 75 and over who receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction to offer a free, independent benefit check in case they are missing out on Attendance Allowance or Pension Credit.

We have also run targeted publicity campaigns to encourage take-up of Pension Credit.

If you are over pension age please contact us to request a benefit check.