If you find yourself on a low income or that you are receiving no income, you may be able to access money to help you get by.
If you think you want to make a claim or claim benefits - you can call the housing benefits team on 01753 875348/9 as a first point of call for your queries.

Job Centre Plus

T:  0800 055 6688 / 01753 615600
A: Upton Lodge, 2a Yew Tree Road, Slough, SL1 2AQ
Time: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm

Please call or come into the Jobcentre for specific/general advice. There are a range of services that Jobcentre Plus may be able to help you with.
Remember that if you make an appointment to see an advisor at JobCentre Plus that you keep the appointment. If you fail to turn up it may affect your claim. If you make an appointment try to take important documentation (including 2 forms of ID) with you to avoid any delays.

You can claim for the following benefits at JobCentre Plus:

• Job Seekers Allowance (JSA):

Job seeking benefit is the main benefit for those of working age who are out of work - usually every 2 weeks directly into your account. If you are out of work or work less than 16 hours on average a week, you could be eligible for JSA.

• Income Support:

This is for people who need support on a low income - you don't need to be unemployed to be eligible for income support. These payments can help you with day-to-day living expenses

• Employment Support Allowance:

ESA is a benefit for people who have an illness or a disability. You may be eligible if you are;
- unemployed -  self-employed -  work for an employer but you cannot get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) -  have been getting SSP but it has now stopped.

• Contribution-based ESA:

You may get contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance if you have paid or been credited with enough class 1 or class 2 National Insurance contributions in the relevant tax years.

• Income-related ESA:

You may get income-related Employment and Support Allowance if you do not have enough money coming in. You can claim income-related Employment and Support Allowance for

• Crisis Loan:

This is a loan that you can be awarded (after assessment) if there is no other way you can get help e.g. if you're in an emergency or after a disaster. You have to pay the loan back (it's tax-free).  An interest free loan, which is available to assist people to meet their immediate short-term needs in an emergency or as a consequence of a disaster. Applications for living expenses are made using the Crisis Loan telephone line. Other Social Fund loans are Budgeting Loan, Community Care Grant, Cold Weather Payment and the Funeral Payment.

• Work Trial:

It is a trial period in an actual job - it is NOT a work placement or work-based training

• Travel to Interview Scheme:

TIS aims to help jobseekers back to work by encouraging them to widen their job search by providing financial assistance so that they can attend job interviews beyond normal daily travelling distance. At the discretion of personal advisers assistance may be given to attend local interviews.

• Childcare Assist :

Childcare Assist allows customer to claim up to 5 days childcare in the 7 days immediately before they start work

Housing Benefits

T:  01753 875348/9
A: My Council, Landmark Place, High Street (just off Windsor Road), Slough
Time: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm

Housing benefit helps you pay your rent if you are on a low income. Your local council pays housing benefit and you do not have to get any other benefits to claim it. 
To apply for housing benefit or council tax benefit you will need to download, fill in and sign the 'Claim Form for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit'. You can access this online via: www.slough.gov.uk or call into My Council to pick one up.

Council Tax Benefit

T:  01753 875348/9
A: My Council, Landmark Place, High Street (just off Windsor Road), Slough
Time: Mon: 9am - 6.30pm, Tue-Wed: 9am - 5.30pm, Thus: 10am - 5.30pm, Fri: 9am - 5.30pm, Sat: 9am - 1.30pm

Council tax benefit can be claimed by people who are liable to pay council tax.  It can help you pay your council tax if you are on a low income.  It cannot help with water charges.  Also it cannot help you pay a mortgage. To apply for housing benefit or council tax benefit you will need to download, fill in and sign the 'Claim Form for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit'. You can access this online via: www.slough.gov.uk or call into My Council to pick one up.

Health Costs

You can be eligible to have help with your health costs e.g. prescriptions, dental care and eye tests/glasses. You can find out information about this at the JobCentre Plus, local community agencies and the library.

Welfare Rights

T:  01753 475111
A: My Council, Landmark Place, High Street (just off Windsor Road), Slough
Time: Mon: 9am - 6.30pm, Tue-Wed: 9am - 5.30pm, Thus: 10am - 5.30pm, Fri: 9am - 5.30pm, Sat: 9am - 1.30pm
  
The Welfare Rights Teams can provide you with independent advice about all benefits - assisting you to complete applications if necessary. The team can represent you regarding housing issues or council tax issues.