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Email: The Welfare Rights & Advice Service

 

 

 

 

Some enquiries can be dealt with on reception, or over the telephone, others require an appointment.

 

 

Out of hours appointments can be made if necessary, and home visits are available for housebound people.

 

Information (including leaflets and claim forms) is available on a range of topics, including

 

 

Assistance with certain aspects of child support and community care is also available.Advice and advocacy is available to Harlow residents only. There are a few exceptions to this rule – detailed guidance is available on request.

 

The production of leaflets, policy work and take-up campaigns are important aspects of the work of the service.

 

The service is free, confidential, impartial and independent, and includes representation at Tribunals and Courts.

 

The Advice Centre was opened in 1978.

 

Funded by Harlow Council and the Legal Services Commission, the Welfare Rights & Advice is a full member of Advice UK (formally known as the Federation of Independent Advice Centres FIAC).

 

An independent Management Committee was set up in May 1997 to manage the service. In June 2003 the Service was transferred to a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee.

 

The service secured a contract with the Legal Aid Board in late 1998 that attracted over £90,000 in additional funds and increased the availability of money and benefits advice for local people.

 

In addition to the Welfare Rights & Advice Service (which manages the premises on behalf of the Council), the Advice Centre is occupied by the Citizens Advice Bureau.

 

With the exception of specialist money advice, the CAB is a largely generalist service operated by trained volunteers. The money advice service offered by the CAB includes casework. The service is available to Harlow and non-Harlow residents and can be contacted on 0845 120 3717.

 

The MP holds a Surgery in the Advice Centre on the third Saturday in every month between 10am and 12 noon, and on the first Friday on the month, between 5 and 7pm.

 

The Conference Room at the Advice Centre is available for hire during the day by community groups and for commercial use, such as recruitment interviewing and private meetings. The room accommodates a maximum of 24 people seated theatre style or 12 (comfortably) round conference tables. Occasional evening or weekend bookings may be arranged, subject to caretaking availability, for which a charge is made. Coffee/tea, flipchart, video etc available