Age UK Wigan Borough Information and Advice

Our information and advice service assists all people aged 50 and over, their relatives, friends and carers who are resident within the Borough of Wigan.

The service is free and offers information and advice on a wide range of issues such as:
- Welfare Benefits including Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Carers Allowance and Pension Credit
- Working age benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance which has replaced Incapacity Benefit.
- Availability of grants and loans from the local authority, DWP or other agencies
- Help with the completion of local authority application forms including Occupational Therapy self assessments, and the Blue Badge scheme
- Consumer issues.

We have been successful in achieving welfare benefits exceeding £1 million during the past five months for our residents of the Wigan Borough which would otherwise have remained unclaimed.

We have access to all Age UK factsheets that cover most situations encountered in everyday life. These are free of charge and available on request. We offer practical assistance such as completing forms and writing letters.

The service is available from our office in central Wigan but we also offer a home visiting service to those who are housebound or would have difficulty travelling. All enquiries are dealt with confidentially and impartially, and we will not pass individual details onto third parties without prior permission.

An appointment is necessary for completion of a benefit claim or other application forms but general telephone advice is available most days of the week.