Information to gather for benefit form checking

Information to gather for benefit form filling

1. What is your health condition?

2. How long have you had your health condition?

3. What is the name of the benefit you are trying to claim?

4. Are you already in receipt of this benefit?

5. What is the date the form needs to be returned by?

6. Have you read through the form and attempted to complete it?

7. Do you have access to the internet? If so, would you find it helpful to use the information online to complete the form? If not, why not (e.g. language/literacy barriers)?

8. Do you have any friends or family members that could help you complete the form?

9. Do you have medical evidence to send with your benefit form e.g. GP medical report, heath consultant etc?

10. Do you have a list of prescriptions and aids?

11. Are you able to write a diary of your health condition to send with the form as evidence?

If you decide that the cl requires an appointment for help completing the form:

- Check the cl’s local Citizens Advice’s resources for form filling – check the Greater Manchester Adviceline website “Form Filling Support” section

- if the date for returning the form is within the next two weeks and the cl has a good reason for needing extra time you can suggest the cl calls the benefit office to ask for an extension and asks the benefit office to send a letter to cl confirming the extension.