Age Concern Sheffield - Information & Advice Service

From our city centre location we provide advice and information, tailored to the needs of older people, on a wide range of subjects. Thanks to funding from the Big Lottery Fund, from June 2006 we are also able to provide a home visiting advice service, particularly focusing on helping vulnerable or house-bound older people to access the benefits to which they are entitled. Since May 2003 we have held the Community Legal Service's Quality Mark at general help level, in recognition of the high quality of the service.

Looking for services for older people in Sheffield? Look no further than www.oldersheffield.org.uk This new searchable website contains details of hundreds of activities, resources and services provided by voluntary, community and faith sector organisations in Sheffield. What's more it will tell you how close they are to you and whether they have any space available. Follow the link to find out more.

For links to fact sheets and information sheets
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Information Support Officers and our committed team of specially trained volunteers, assist thousands of people every year on issues ranging from healthcare to housing to problems with utility companies. This enables experienced advice staff to focus on specialist areas such as benefits, which now make up around 40% of our enquiries. We can provide benefits checks to ensure people are claiming their full entitlement, advice and assistance with disability benefits and support for people appealing against decisions not to award benefits. The impact of this service on people's lives can be dramatic as Mrs Smith's case demonstrates:

Mrs Smith, 80, lives alone in Sheffield and has increasing care needs. Until a few months ago her only income was a Retirement and an Occupational Pension, which were insufficient for her to pay for the extra help she needed with everyday tasks.

Age Concern Sheffield helped Mrs Smith to apply for Attendance Allowance, which involved a Doctor visiting her, however this was subsequently refused on the basis that her needs were not great enough. Mrs Smith was upset, but backed by the Information and Advice team, pursued the matter and obtained a copy of the Doctor's report, which turned out to contain significant inaccuracies. This gave Mrs Smith grounds for an appeal and a few weeks later the original decision was over-turned. Once in receipt of Attendance Allowance Mrs Smith became eligible for extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. In total Mrs Smith is now £137.63 a week better off - a staggering £7,156.76 a year - and can afford the care she needs. Age Concern Sheffield have also referred the case to 'Stay-Put', who have agreed to provide some minor equipment e.g. grab rails and Social Services have been approached to carry out a reassessment of her care needs.

Information and advice are available face to face by calling into 44 Castle Square, by phone on 0114 250 2859 or by completing an online enquiry. We operate an appointments system for more involved queries - call 0114 250 2859 to book an appointment or to request a benefits advice home visit.

You can also download factsheets on a wide range of subjects from the information pages on this site.

Income & Benefits

Far too many older people are living in poverty - information on this page will explain the criteria for different benefits and tell you how to claim.

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Residential care and community

Older people, their family and carers are often faced with complicated issues and difficult decisions relating to residential and community care. A number of factsheets provide detailed information and guidance in this complex area.

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Consumer/ Legal Issues

Straightforward guidance on issues ranging from TV Licenses to planning a funeral or organising a power of attorney.

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Health

A variety of information regarding health services and healthy living advice for older people.

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Housing

Information about the different housing options available to older people, from improving and adapting their current home to moving to more suitable accommodation.

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Leisure, Learning and Work

Information for older people who wish to carry on working, find new interests or explore new places.

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Information Sheets

You can also download information sheets on a wide range of subjects direct from the Age Concern England site.

The information sheets provide basic information on a range of subjects for older people such as help with health costs, carer's allowance, deferring your state pension, equity release, age discrimination, to the digital switchover and consumer advice.