Derbyshire Welfare Benefits
Our Adult Care service provides a Welfare Rights team who can help to ensure you are claiming the correct entitlement to benefits. They can also help you to challenge benefit decisions and represent you at benefit appeals.
The team can be contacted Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to midday, and 2pm to 4pm.
Telephone: 01629 531535
Email: welfare.benefits@derbyshire.gov.uk
To learn more, please visit:
Derbyshire County Council - Welfare Benefits
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice provides information about benefits, as well as debt and money problems, employment and other matters.
The benefits system for working-age people is undergoing a lot of changes. Universal Credit is slowly replacing certain low-income benefits, but it is not yet fully in place. Existing benefits may not change over to Universal Credit until 2026. Always seek advice to check your entitlements.
Benefits may be paid based on:
- your National Insurance record
- your needs - for instance, extra costs caused by disability
- whether your income is too low
- and a combination of the above
To learn more, please visit:
Citizens Advice - Benefits
Examples of possible benefits
If you are aged 16 plus and have a long-term health condition or disability that affects your ability to live independently, you may be able to claim Personal Independence Payment.
If you are under 16 and have a health condition or disability that means you have more care or supervision needs than that of other children your age, you may be able to claim Disability Living Allowance.
If you are unable to work owing to illness/disability, you may be able to claim Statutory Sick Pay or Employment and Support Allowance - and possibly a top-up of Universal Credit.
If you work and you are on low pay, you may be entitled to Universal Credit.
If you were injured at work or have an industrial disease caused by work, you may be able to claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefits.
If you were injured serving in the Armed Forces, you may qualify under the War Pensions Scheme or the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
If you care for someone who is disabled, you may be able to claim Carer's Allowance and possible a top-up of Universal Credit.
If you are pregnant or have just given birth, you may be entitled to Maternity Benefits.
If you need help with the rent, you may be able to claim Universal Credit (which includes help with rent costs) - if you are responsible for 3 or more children, or you are in temporary accommodation or in certain accommodation where support, counselling, etc. is provided, you may qualify for Housing Benefit.
If you are liable to pay Council Tax and you are on a low income, you may claim Council Tax Support from your local council. Use the GOV UK Council Tax Reduction checker for contact details in your locality.
Even if you cannot claim any benefit payments, you may be able to get National Insurance credits (which will help with your eventual pension) if you are unable to work or you are a carer. The Citizen's Advice website also has more information about National Insurance.
Also, if you are disabled, you may be entitled to other help, for example, you might get cheaper public transport, parking concessions and practical help with care from your local council. You also have the right not to be discriminated against at work, or when you receive goods or services.
Derbyshire Discretionary Fund (DDF)
The Derbyshire Discretionary Fund (DDF) can provide grants or emergency cash payments if you are in urgent need of financial help following a crisis or disaster, or need help to settle or remain in your home.
To learn more, or make an application, please visit:
Derbyshire County Council - Derbyshire Discretionary Fund (DDF)
Free School Meals
Free School Meals (FSM) are government-funded meals provided to eligible pupils in schools across the UK. They aim to ensure that children from low-income families receive at least one nutritious meal per school day.
To learn more about eligibility, make an application, or contact the team, please visit:
Derbyshire County Council - Free School Meals
Universal Infant Free School Meals
From September 2014, all children in reception, year 1 and year 2 in state-funded schools in England started to receive a school meal at lunchtime, free of charge. You do not need to register your child for this. Please contact the school for further clarification or contact Derbyshire County Council on 01629 536481.