Welfare Benefits Unit

The front cover of the Advisers Guide to Benefits April 2026-April 2027 next to the text: pre-order your copy todaywww.welfare-beenfits-unit.org.uk/publications/advisers-guide

We're excited to let you know that the 2026-2027 edition of our highly regarded Advisers Guide to Benefits is now available to pre-order!

Order your copy today: www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk/publications...

A colourful speech bubble with the quote "Ah that's great, once again WBU to the rescue!"

Happy New Year everyone!
Our Advice Line is back open again and we're busy prepping both our forthcoming training courses and the next edition of our Benefits e-Bulletin.
Find out more about our services and how they can support you and your clients on our website:
www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk

WBU Advice Line will close at 5pm Tuesday 23 December and reopen at 9am Monday 5 January Merry Christmas from everyone at WBU We look forward to seeing you in the new year

Our Advice Line is still open today and tomorrow and our Christmas elves are waiting to answer your benefits-based queries.

Thanks for joining us at the most recent NAWRA conference in York. @nawra.bsky.social members can find presentations and notes from the day here: lnkd.in/eeVgyNBT. We’ll see you at the next one!

Our budget day biscuit stash is in place and we're ready for the Autumn Statement.
We'll digest it all so you don't have to, sign up to our mailing list and get our Budget Special direct to your mailbox.
www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk/contact/
#AutumnStatement
#BudgetDay
#Budget
#WelfareBenefits

We're looking forward to seeing you all in a very festive York!

A celebration cake in the style of a Welfare Benefits Unit Advisers Guide to Benefits which says thank you for everything

Yesterday we said goodbye to our three outgoing trustees in style, and as we often do at the Welfare Benefits Unit, we said it with cake!

#TrusteesWeek

A WBU Advisers Guide to Benefits is in the foreground. The blurred background shows cake decorating equipment, rolled out teal icing which is the same colour as the front of the Guide and a white cake.

Since we started working from home, we are used to seeing our Advisers Guide in unusual places and it's a valuable resource for welfare advice in lots of locations. However, we think this might be the first time it's supported cake decorating!

Check back tomorrow to see what the outcome was...

A younger black man is in conversation with an older white man who has his back to the camera, set against a green backdrop. The text "Proudly supporting #AdviceSaves" is displayed at the top of the image and the weblink advice.org.uk/advicesaves at the bottom of the image.

Advice saves lives, but only if we invest in our workforce.
Support AdviceUK's campaign to raise awareness of the need to recruit, train and retain the next generation of advisers through a National Advice Workforce Strategy.

Because without advisers, there is no advice.
#AdviceSaves #AdviceWorks

YouTube video by AdviceUK Advice Saves 2025 AdviceUK Film

Watch this powerful film from AdviceUK. It shows the positive impact advice services can have on lives around the country and is part of Advice Saves, a national campaign highlighting the life-changing impact of the advice services we support everyday.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=03NU...
#AdviceSaves

Big Ben

#AdviceWeek is here!
We joined AdviceUK at the launch of their Advice Works report yesterday at the House of Commons. The report highlights the life-changing impact of advice services across the UK and calls for a much-needed National Workforce Strategy for the advice sector.
#AdviceSaves

The Local Welfare Safety Net project is a @lbfew.bsky.social funded collaboration of advice and research partners in York. This co-produced event will collect vital evidence about how best to support those in need of additional financial assistance so please come along and share your thoughts.

Trustees 1-2 days per quarter, with online meetings Voluntary We’re keen to add skills and expertise in -Financial, legal or HR -Marketing, digital or similar -Welfare benefits system and welfare rights advice or lived experience www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk/about-us/work-with-us/

Are you looking for your next volunteer opportunity?
You could be one of our new trustees!
If you connect with our values and share our passion for quality advice, apply today:
www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk/about-us/wor...
#CharityJobs
#CharityTrustee
#Volunteering

Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper This consultation seeks views on the approaches government should consider around reform of the health and disability benefits system and employment support.

There are only a few days left to respond to the consulation on the proposed welfare reforms. Ensure you submit your response by 30 June.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
#WelfareReform
#PersonalIndependencePayment
#UniversalCredit

The bill to restrict access to Personal Independence Payment and reduce entitlement to Universal Credit for some disabled claimants had its first reading today.
publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...
#UniversalCredit
#PersonalIndependencePayment
#WelfareReform

Nine million pensioners to receive Winter Fuel Payments this winter Everyone over the State Pension age in England and Wales with an income of, or below, £35,000 a year will benefit from a Winter Fuel Payment this winter.

The government have announced that having introduced means-testing the Winter Fuel Payment last winter, eligibility will be expanded to pensioners with incomes under £35,000 from this winter.
#WinterFuelPayment
#DWP
www.gov.uk/government/n...

An packing box which has been opened to show the new Advisers Guide to Benefits, alongside a copy fo the Rates Card and Training Programme

We love an exciting delivery!

If you have already ordered your 2025-26 Advisers Guide to Benefits, you'll receive your copy in the next few days...

If you haven't got your order in yet, you can order online now
www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk/publications...

Our latest News in (not so) Brief looking at yesterday's Green Paper is now available to view on our website: www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk/resources/
Sign up to our mailing list to get the next one straight to your inbox...
#GreenPaper
#WelfareReform
#DisabilityBenefits
#PIP
#UniversalCredit

We'll be working through the new green paper and share updates in our New in Brief and Benefits Bulletin. May sure you're on our mailing list to get a detailed overview delivered direct to your inbox: www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk/contact/
#Welfare
#WelfareReform
#PIP
#UC
#DisabilityBenefits

There's just one week left to get your application in to be our new Chief Executive!

Download your application pack now: www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk/about-us/wor...

#CharityJob
#WelfareCharity
#AdviceSector
#ChiefExecutive

Chief Executive 22.5 hours NJC 32-35, £41,511 – £44,711 (pro rata) Permanent Hybrid, two days a week in York-based office Leadership, financial planning, stakeholder relationship building https://www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk/about-us/work-with-us/

Are you ready for a new challenge? Why not apply to be our next Chief Executive...
#CharityJob
#WelfareCharity
#AdviceSector
#ChiefExecutive

ICYMI: DWP commits to addressing all underpayments of the transitional SDP element by August 2025

www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/61293

2025-26 Advisers Guide to Benefits cover next to the text "pre-order your copy today" and the link www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk/publications/advisers-guide/

While our welfare experts are busy updating our excellent Advisers Guide to Benefits 2025/26, you can pre-order your copy here: www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk/publications...
#WelfareBenefits
#WelfareAdvice
#BenefitsAdvisers

And now sorted!

We are experiencing issues with our phone lines today. If you need to contact us, please email or complete our web form: www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk/contact/

Cold Weather Payment Cold Weather Payment - what you'll get, eligibility and how to find out if your area is due a payment

Baby, it's cold outside... and inside too.

If you receive certain means-tested benefits, you may qualify for a Cold Weather Payment of £25 if it is cold enough for long enough.

Check your postcode here: coldweatherpayments.dwp.gov.uk/search.php
#WelfareBenefits
#BenefitsAdvice
#ColdWeatherPayment

We are open for advisers from North Yorkshire and York www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk/advice/

Happy New Year!
Our Advice Line is now open again after our Christmas break, so if you work with the public in North Yorkshire or York and have a benefit query you'd like advice on, contact our advice line today: www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk/advice/advic...
#WelfareAdvice
#WelfareBenefits

A selection of Christmas baubles hangs on a Christmas tree. Next to it, the text says: WBU Advice Line will close at 5pm on Modnay 23 December and reopen at 9am Thursday 2 January. Merrcy Christmas from everyone at WBU. We look forward to seeing you in the new year.

We will be closing for Christmas at 5pm on Monday 23 December and reopening on Thursday 2 January at 9am.
Merry Christmas from everyone at WBU!

Cartoon speech bubble which says "very well organised and informative".

Are you looking for that special something for the welfare adviser in your life? Look no further than our training programme - now with extra dates for our fab three-day Introduction to Benefits course!
www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk/training/cur...

Hello Bluesky!
Here at WBU our team of friendly experts provide welfare advice to those who work with members of the public within North Yorkshire and York, as well as training and consultancy services nationally.
Have a look at how we can help you help your clients: www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk