Oxfordshire MIND
An organisation set up to make sure anyone with a mental health problem has somewhere to turn for advice and support.
Benefits Advice offered by Oxfordshire Mind Benefits team
Oxfordshire Mind’s specialist Benefits for Better Mental Health team offer anyone with a mental health problem expert advice and guidance to help them navigate the complex benefits system.
Now the Oxfordshire Mind Benefits team are working more closely with Didcot/Henley Citizens Advice Bureau, as part of the Tap-In Advice Service across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of the White Horse. David Bryceland, Oxfordshire Mind’s Benefits Project Service Manager, explained what the team can do to help people having problems with their benefits:
"We often get people visiting our service who are very confused about the benefits system and who are worried that their current benefits could be taken away. Our team will work one-to-one with that person to give them a thorough ‘benefits health check’ to make sure they are claiming everything that they’re entitled to. We can explain what the letters they receive actually mean and resolve any problems they might be experiencing. We can also help them complete the right forms and make difficult phone calls.
"As we work with people with mental health problems, we have a lot of experience in helping people apply for Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independence Payments. We also have an excellent track record of winning appeals when people have been turned down for ESA.”
The Benefits team will be working out of both the Didcot CAB and Henley CAB twice every month. Anyone who has a mental health problem and would like their advice should make an appointment by either contacting their local CAB or by ringing the Benefits for Better Mental Health hotline (Mondays to Thursdays, 10am to 1pm) on 01865 243585.
In or around Henley, call Adviceline on 08444 111 444 or drop in to your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau, which is located at 32 Market Place, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2AH. For opening hours, see http://www.caox.org.uk/
Article created / last edited: 29 January 2015