Salford City Council - Welfare Rights and Debt Advice Service
Contact details
Salford City Council - Welfare Rights and Debt Advice Service
Salford City Council, Welfare Rights and Debt Advice Service, Unity House – 1st Floor East Wing, Salford Civic Centre Campus
Chorley Road
Swinton
M27 5BY
Public phone: 0800 3457323 debt / 0800 345 7375 welfare rights advice
Website URL: http://www.salford.gov.uk/welfarerights
General information
Service offered: Welfare rights advice: Assistance completing benefit forms (except for new Universal Credit applications which are done through Citizens Advice). Benefit refusal advice and assistance (including Universal Credit challenges); incorrect deductions; sanctions or awards. Representation at social security appeal tribunals; a small number of valuation appeal tribunals (usually related to overpayments of Council Tax Reduction) and Upper Tribunal. Challenges to decisions through advice and representation using, for example, the Human Rights Act 1988 or the Equality Act 2010. Debt advice: Specialist advice, case work and representation for: Multiple debt. Complex single or priority debts. Court representation related to possession/eviction for mortgage arrears, rent arrears in social housing and enforcement of other debts. Assistance with debt solutions such as insolvency. Most of our debt advisers are accredited as Approved Intermediaries to administer applications for Debt Relief Orders. All our debt advisers are able to access the Breathing Space scheme which provides legal protection from most debt enforcement for a period of 60 days (longer for people receiving mental health crisis treatment). We can submit applications on your behalf where this is considered appropriate.
Target group: People who live in Salford or work for Salford City Council. People who live outside of Salford but are on a Salford care order or have been placed in temporary accommodation by Salford.
Area served: Salford: Eccles, Worsley, Swinton, Barton, Langworthy, Walkden, Little Hulton, Ordsall, Broughton, Kersal, Pendlebury, Seedley, Weaste, Claremont, Boothstown, Ellenbrook, Winton, Irwell Riverside, Pendleton, Irlam and Cadishead.
How to contact: Welfare Rights Advice Line (WRAL): 0800 345 7375. This is open between 10am and 12 midday, Monday to Friday. Debt Advice Line (DAL): 0800 345 7323. This is open Monday and Wednesdays between 1pm and 4pm as well as 9:30am to 12:30pm on Fridays. Arabic Linkworker Advice Line: 0800 345 7370. This is open Wednesdays between 10am and 1pm. None of our advice lines open on Bank Holidays.None of our advice lines accept voicemail messages outside of the above hours. Full details of the various routes into our services can be found at https://www.salford.gov.uk/advice-and-support/welfare-rights-and-debt-advice-service/contact-us-for-advice .Online referrals via https://contactus.salford.gov.uk/?formtype=WRDAS
Availability
Monday: 10am-12 noon benefits, 1pm-4pm debt
Tuesday: 10am-12 noon benefits
Wednesday: 10am-12 noon benefits, 1pm-4pm debt
Thursday: 10am-12 noon benefits
Friday: 10am-12 noon benefits / 9:30am-12:30pm debt
Weekends:
Office Hours: Not relevant as we do not occupy an office with interview facilities.
Accessibility
Wheelchair access: -
Accessible toilets: -
Access notes: See above. We do not occupy an office with interview facilities. Appointments are done at various venues around the city as well as home visits where appropriate. Interview sites and advice sessions are fully accessible for wheelchair users - phone for details.
Other information
Languages other than English: Languages other than English: All our advisers have access to telephone interpreting via ITL and face to face interpretation (if booked in advance), including BSL, via Language Line. Our Arabic Advice line enables direct access to an Arabic speaker
Charity number: N/A
Year established: 1986
Staffing: 44
Public transport: We do appointments at various venues around the city as well as home visits where appropriate. Advisers will always discuss access needs prior to booking any appointment.
Record last checked: 14 January 2025