The list below contains details about groups and government departments you may find of use. If the organisation has a website you will be able to find a link down the right hand side of the page. Where no website exists contact details of the organisation are noted.
Department of Works and Pensions (DWP)
The Department of Works and Pensions is responsible for the government's welfare reform agenda. Its aim is to promote opportunity and independence for all.
The DWP delivers income support, job seekers allowance (income based and contributions based), disability living allowance, incapacity benefit, attendence allowance and other statutory benefits.
Welfare rights unit
The welfare rights unit offers a free, confidential and impartial welfare rights service by telephone, advice surgeries or home visit.
You can make an appointment by calling in at the relevant one stop centre or phoning the welfare rights unit.
The Pension Service
The Pension Service is part of the Department for Work and Pensions. It has been set up to improve the service you receive, whether you are already a pensioner or are planning for your retirement, no matter how far off it might be.
HM Revenues and Customs (formerly Inland Revenue)
HM Revenues and Customs provides:
- Tax credits (working and child tax credits)
- Child benefit
- Tax rebates
They will also give you information to help you understand taxation and, if you are self employed, how to go about completing a self assessment for tax purposes.
Arms length management organisations (ALMOs)
On 1 February 2003, the responsibility for managing homes owned by us transferred to six arm’s length management organisations (ALMOs). Each ALMO has its own management board. Tenants have a real say in the running of their estates through representation on the board. They make up one third of the total membership, the other two thirds are local councillors and independent members. There are six housing ALMOs in Leeds. Each one is responsible for managing council-owned homes in a particular area of the city.
- Leeds East Homes
- Leeds North-East Homes
- Leeds North-West Homes
- Leeds South Homes
- Leeds South-East Homes
- Leeds West Homes
The links on the right hand side of this page can be used to obtain more information on the individual ALMO’s.
Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice from over 3,200 locations, and by influencing policymakers.
The CAB in Leeds are at Westminster Building, 31 New York Street, Leeds LS2 7DT,
tel: 0870 120 2450 or visit their website.
Age Concern
Age Concern supports all people over 50 in the UK to make sure that they get the most from life. We provide essential services such as day care and information. We campaign on issues like age discrimination and pensions, and work to influence public opinion and government policy about older people.
Age Concern in Leeds are based at 188a Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9DX and can be contacted on tel: 0113 2458579
EntitledTo - the online benefits calculator
'EntitledTo' is a website which provides free online calculators to help you work out your entitlement to benefits and tax credits.
Please note that this web calculator only provides estimates based on the information you provide. These estimates will not necessarily reflect the amount you are entitled to.
Housing advice centre
The housing advice centre gives advice on housing and accommodation to council tenants, private tenants and owner-occupiers. We also give advice on emergency accommodation if you are homeless or are likely to become homeless. Anyone can drop in without an appointment between Monday and Thursday 09:00 - 16:00, or Friday 10:00 - 16:00.
You can get in touch with us for advice at:
Housing Advice Centre, 21-27 The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 6PU
Tel: 0113 247 6919 Minicom: 0113 247 6313
When the housing advice centre is closed, an out-of-hours service is provided by the emergency duty team.
Leeds Crisis Centre
Leeds Crisis Centre offers support and counselling for people who are finding it hard to cope at a stressful time in their lives.
Address: Leeds Crisis Centre, 3 Spring Road, Leeds LS6 1AD
Telephone: 0113 275 5898 or Minicom: 0113 274 8880
7 Days a week 10am - 10:30pm
Outside these hours call either the Samaritans on 0113 6789 or Social Services Emergency Duty Team 0113 269 6198
DIAL (Disablement Information and Advice Line)
DIAL is a national organisation for a network of 160 local Disability Information and Advice Line services (DIALs) run by and for disabled people. Last year DIALs helped over a quarter of a million disabled people..
Address: The Mary Thornton Suite Armley Grange Drive, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS12 3QH
Telephone: 0113 214 3630
Textphone: 0113 214 3627
Fax: 0113 214 3628
The Samaritans
Callers can contact Samaritans by telephone, letter, e-mail and minicom. The commitment to making these means of access available 24 hours a day will be maintained by all branches (except Festival and Correspondence branches).
Contact The Samaritans:
Telephone: 0113 245 6789
Usual hours open to receive callers: 8am - 10pm
Address: 93 Clarendon Road, LEEDS, West Yorkshire LS2 9LY
Sahara Black Women's Refuge
Black women only resource offering safe accommodation, counselling, information, legal advice, support and outreach by Asian and African Caribbean workers.
Address: PO BOX 94, Wellington Street, Leeds LS3 1DR
Telephone: 0113 230 5087
Minicom: 0113 234 3094
Advocacy and interpreting service
The advocacy and interpreting service offers advocacy and interpreting through outreach work, surgeries in community venues and home visits to potential users. In particular they aim to help people from Pakistani, Bengali and Chinese communities.
Advocacy and interpreting service, 170 Roundhay Road, Leeds LS8 5PL
Telephone: 0113 235 1877
Fax: 0113 238 1877
Leeds Women's Aid
Leeds Women's Aid is a Women only resource, offering safe accomodation for women and children (boys up to 16) and single women, counselling, information, legal advice, support, outreach and aftercare.
Telephone: 0113 246 0401
Minicom: 0113 380 4800
Fax: 0113 246 8377
Address: PO Box 89, Head Post Office, Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 6UA