The community benefits team (CBT) provides the following services:
- A telephone benefits advice line for Ealing residents: 020 8825 8555
Monday to Thursday, 10am to 4pm (except bank holidays)
Provides information and advice in relation to UK welfare benefits from initial claims up to social security appeal tribunal level. - Signposting for customers who call the advice line to other agencies within the advice network and other voluntary organisations and agencies.
- A visiting officer service for Ealing residents who are receiving homecare or residential care services and may need assistance with completing the Financial Circumstances Form they have been issued and for identifying any unclaimed welfare benefits entitlements.
The financial circumstances form is issued in relation to the social care charging policy.
The CBT service works (subject to client authority), alongside the Department for Work and Pensions, the Pension Service, the Disability Benefits Centre, the housing benefits department and key voluntary sector agencies in ensuring correct benefits are being received.
The CBT visiting service is offered to customers in their own home. Customers can also visit the CBT service reception, by appointment only. - Referrals to the CBT visiting officer service are made internally by care managers and the financial assessment team, through the council’s Mosaic workflow system.
CBT provides a comprehensive visiting officer service for vulnerable clients who are being assessed under the social care charging policy.