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Notice: temporary pause on new benefits form referrals

Due to exceptionally high demand we have temporarily paused taking new referrals for benefit form support and are currently fully booked.

We apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment this may cause. This is a temporary pause to ensure that everyone already waiting for support receives the help they need, and give our team time to catch up so we continue offering the best possible service to everyone we support. In the interim, please find below our recently released self-help guides, or follow read more for other support options.

Attendance Allowance self-help guide (PDF)PIP self-help guide (PDF)
Read More

We are still here to help

Although we are unable to take new referrals for full form completion support at this time, there are still a number of ways we may be able to help:

  • You may wish to use one of our self-help guides (available above).
  • You may find it helpful to ask a trusted friend, family member or support worker to help you complete your form.
  • Once you have completed your form, you can bring it to Ernest English House on Thursdays between 10:00 and 12:00, where a member of our team can check it over for you.

Please note: This is a checking service only. We are unable to provide full support with completing the form during these sessions.

Additional sources of support

Turn2us — free online guided video to help with completing PIP forms: pip.turn2us.org.uk

Kidney Care UK — if your condition relates to kidney disease. Telephone: 0808 801 00 00

Ups and Downs South West — if your condition relates to Down syndrome. Telephone: 01278 691100

Macmillan Cancer Support — if your condition relates to cancer. Telephone: 0808 808 0000 (Mon–Fri, 08:00–18:00)

Students — if you are studying at university, please contact your Student Support Service.

Scope — free, independent and impartial advice on your PIP claim or review. Telephone: 0808 800 3333

DWP Home Visits — if someone has severe cognitive, learning or mental health impairments and cannot manage the claim over the phone or by post, the DWP can arrange a home visiting officer. Telephone: 0800 121 4433 · Textphone: 0800 121 4493 (Mon–Fri, 09:00–17:00)

If you are unsure which option is right for you, please speak to a member of staff and we will do our best to point you in the right direction. We will keep this situation under regular review and will reopen referrals as soon as we are able.

Some of the guidance may overlap across different benefit payments. We’ve displayed each pathway in full so you only have to read the one that applies to you

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

How to Apply for PIP

  1. Request a PIP Form

    To begin a PIP claim, call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on 0800 917 2222 (Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm). They'll ask some basic questions and then send you a form to complete and return within 1 month. If you'd rather not claim by phone, you can write to Freepost DWP PIP 1 to start your claim by post.

    Accessibility options:

    • Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 917 2222

    Please have the following information ready:

    • Contact details
    • National Insurance number
    • Bank account details
    • GP contact information
    • Dates of any stays in hospital or care homes
    • Dates of any time spent overseas
  2. Return the Signed Form

    Once you receive your form, please sign it and return it to us at: Improving Lives Plymouth, Ernest English House, Buckwell Street, Plymouth PL1 2DA. You can do this by:

    • Posting it through our letterbox (available 24/7)
    • Handing it in at reception during opening hours 09:00–16:00
    • Asking a trusted friend or family member to bring it in on your behalf
  3. Complete the Authority Form

    Please complete the form below and return it to us alongside your application. This confirms you are happy for us to act on your behalf and tells the DWP that we have your consent to do so.

    Complete the Authority Form (Paper form available)
  4. Collect Supporting Evidence

    Start gathering medical evidence to support your application. This can include:

    • A Patient Summary from your GP (not your full medical records)
    • Any hospital letters
    • Statements from support workers or healthcare professionals
  5. Wait for Us to Contact You

    Within approximately 5 working days of receiving your signed form, a project worker will be in touch to arrange an appointment. If you have any questions or run into any issues, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Attendance Allowance (AA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

For us to support you through the disability application process, please follow the steps below:

  1. Start Your Claim and Receive Your Form

    The form you need depends on who the claim is for:

    Attendance Allowance is for people of State Pension age or over who need help with personal care. Call the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 (Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm) and ask for a claim form to be posted to you. If you request the form by phone, your claim starts from the date of your call, as long as you return the completed form within 6 weeks. You can back-date the payments to this date.

    Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is for children under 16. Call the DLA helpline on 0800 121 4600 (Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm) to ask for a form.

    Both forms can also be downloaded: DLA | AA

    Accessibility options:

    • Attendance Allowance: 0800 731 0122 (Mon–Fri, 8am–6pm) | Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 731 0122 | BSL video relay service available (InterpretersLive)
    • DLA for children: 0800 121 4600 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) | Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 121 4600 | BSL video relay service available
  2. Receive and Sign the Form

    Once you've received either form, please sign it and return it to us at: Improving Lives Plymouth, Ernest English House, Buckwell Street, Plymouth PL1 2DA. You can do this by:

    • Posting it through our letterbox (available 24/7)
    • Handing it in at reception during opening hours 09:00–16:00
    • Asking a trusted friend or family member to bring it in on your behalf
  3. Complete the Authority Form

    Please complete the form below and return it to us alongside your application. This confirms you are happy for us to act on your behalf and tells the DWP that we have your consent to do so.

    Complete the Authority Form (Paper form available)
  4. Collect Supporting Evidence

    Start gathering medical evidence to support your application. This can include:

    • A Patient Summary from your GP (not your full medical records)
    • Any hospital letters
    • Statements from support workers or healthcare professionals
  5. Wait for Us to Contact You

    Within approximately 5 working days of receiving your signed form, a project worker will be in touch to arrange an appointment. If you have any questions or run into any issues, please don't hesitate to contact us.

UC50/WCA50 Support

  1. Receive and Sign the Form

    Once you've received your UC50/WCA50 form, please sign it and return it to us at: Improving Lives Plymouth, Ernest English House, Buckwell Street, Plymouth PL1 2DA. You can do this by:

    • Posting it through our letterbox (available 24/7)
    • Handing it in at reception during opening hours 09:00–16:00
    • Asking a trusted friend or family member to bring it in on your behalf
  2. Complete the Authority Form

    Please complete the form below and return it to us alongside your application. This confirms you are happy for us to act on your behalf and tells the DWP that we have your consent to do so.

    Complete the Authority Form (Paper form available)
  3. Collect Supporting Evidence

    Start gathering medical evidence to support your application. This can include:

    • A Patient Summary from your GP (not your full medical records)
    • Any hospital letters
    • Statements from support workers or healthcare professionals
  4. Wait for Us to Contact You

    Within approximately 5 working days of receiving your signed form, a project worker will be in touch to arrange an appointment. If you have any questions or run into any issues, please don't hesitate to contact us.

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