The Welfare Rights Service

The Welfare Rights officers provide Midlothian residents with advice advocacy and oral representation at all Social Security Tribunals. They represent at 1st Tier and 2nd Tier Tribunals and ensure Midlothian residents receive free impartial advice.

Examples

• Disability Living Allowance Appeals/Attendance Allowance Appeals
• Incapacity benefit /Employment Support Appeals
• Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance/Pension Credit Appeals
• Child Tax /Working Tax Credit appeals
• Industrial Injuries Appeals
• Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit Appeals

We work closely with our social work, health and housing colleagues and can answer their complex benefit enquires and clarify and advice on benefit legislation regarding social law queries.

The Welfare rights officers work in partnership with the Financial Inclusion Network (MFIN) to offer support and stimulus to promote the development of quality welfare rights advice throughout Midlothian. Our aim is to share information and develop effective working partnerships and referral systems to ensure a seamless welfare advice service for Midlothian.

Referrals for representation are received from internal departments, external agencies or from our MFIN members or directly from clients.