General
There is assistance available to claim benefits, finding the right support can be difficult as it depends on the benefit you may be eligible to claim. The first step is to enter your circumstances into a benefits calculator.
There are a number of free and anonymous benefits calculator to check what you could be entitled to. This will give you an estimate of:
- the benefits you could get
- how much your benefit payments could be
- how your benefits will be affected if you start work or increase your hours
- how your benefits will be affected if your circumstances change – for example, if you have a child or move in with your partner
For information on income-related benefits, contribution-based benefits, Universal Credit, Council Tax Reduction and Carer’s Allowance use:
entitledto benefits calculator
Policy in Practice better off calculator
Who to contact for assistance
The agency or organisation to contact will depend on the benefit you are eligible to claim
For Universal Credit you can use the help to claim service
For Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction contact Ashford Borough Council Welfare Intervention Officers:
Welfare Intervention Officers run weekly drop in sessions, where you can turn up for advice and support with no appointment needed.
- Mondays – 10am – 11:30am – drop in session specifically aimed at refugees. One You shop, Ashford Town Centre
- First Wednesday of every month 1pm – 4pm – drop in at One You shop, Ashford Town Centre
- Last Friday of every month 10am – 12.00pm, Salvation Army, Cudworth Road
For PIP and DLA Ashford Advice can assist with form filling
For New Style ESA or New Style JSA If you cannot apply online, you can call 0800 055 6688 (textphone: 0800 328 1344; Relay UK – if you cannot hear or speak on the phone: 18001 then 0800 055 6688).
If you need a home visit
You may be able to get a home visit from a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) officer to help you with your benefit claim.
You cannot book a visit yourself. Tell DWP you need help to claim benefits by calling the number of the benefit you’re applying for. If you’re eligible, they’ll arrange a support visit.
Support visits can take place somewhere other than your home, for example at a hospital. This will usually be discussed with you when you’re referred.
A visit can be arranged for you if you need extra help to claim benefits, for example because you:
- have complex needs
- are disabled
- are a vulnerable young person making a claim for the first time
- have nobody else to support you
- cannot claim benefits in any other way
Last Updated on June 10, 2026 by Ashford Advice