Our commitment to our customers
Essex Benefits Plus offers free and confidential information, advice and support on benefits, the Independent Living Fund (ILF) and other related issues to Essex County Council, other statutory and voluntary sector staff.
Our team of trained benefits and ILF advisers have up to date knowledge about benefits and ILF, including social care and charging legislation. Here you can find more information about our different areas of work:
We deliver a programme of relevant and up to date training, allowing participants to apply the knowledge gained to their working practice.
We coordinate targeted campaigns encouraging the take up of benefits and offering Essex residents the opportunity for a benefits check.
Telephone consultations are available to provide clear and personalised advice enabling access to full benefit entitlement. We also signpost to partner organisations as necessary to arrange home visits and follow up support.
A team of Independent Living Fund Advisers provide one to one support and advice to service users and their families.
We produce a comprehensive range of written material including detailed information about eligibility, entitlement, rates, rules and where to claim. All our publications are revised and updated at least once a year.
If your enquiry is complex we may confirm the advice in writing. This ensures you have all the relevant information and helps to avoid any misinterpretation when passing on the advice to your service user.
To ensure quality of advice to our customers, all helpline staff have regular supervision with their line manager. We also participate in monthly casework and service meetings to share knowledge and skills. Regular case checks are undertaken in order to maintain quality and consistency of advice.
We keep a record of all enquiries. These are treated confidentially and no information is divulged without your permission or your service user’s permission, in compliance with relevant legislation.
We coordinate regular interagency events promoting benefits, enabling participants to receive topical information, ask questions and share experiences with other organisations.
Enquiries to the Essex Benefits Plus Helpline will be dealt with appropriately and professionally offering you practical support. Advice given will be based on the information provided. If we don’t know the answer to your question we will research it or direct you to other organisations or local sources that can help.
9.30am-4pm Monday to Friday
01245 434205
We always strive to achieve the best standards and will consult with service users on how we can improve and develop our services. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us on
essexbenefitsplus@essex.gov.uk If you have a hearing impairment or communication difficulties and are a text phone user, you can contact us on 01245 434258 or email
benefits.helpline@essex.gov.uk