People claiming benefits often reach out for advice on how to deal with the system – but unfortunately not all those claiming to be advisors are honest. So a major disability rights organisation is attempting to stop them in their tracks.
Activist group Disabled People Against Cuts say: “We have recently been made aware of some dodgy benefits advisors who exploit benefit claimants to make money and provide poor or non-existent support in return.”
“Its important to stress that most benefits advisors are honest and try to do a good job for their clients but there are a few sharks out there too. We want to see what we can do about it, and first of all we need your help to provide us with the information that we need”
Any information you give us will be kept in confidence and only disclosed to third parties (like anti-fraud organisations) with your permission. If you have any information about this, please email us at mail@dpac.uk.net and we will notify the authorities.”
DPAC has also issued its own advice about selecting a benefits advisor:
*Try to use a free service such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, a local law centre or a local benefits advice service. You can find out what is available in your area by doing a search for “benefits advice in (your town)”.
*If you can’t find a free service, and there is a paid benefits advisor, try to find one that someone you know has used and has had good results with.
*If you can’t do that, then do an internet search for the name of the company or individual to see if anyone has reported having problems with them.
*Never pay any money up front before they have completed work for you.
