Welfare and benefits forms the largest area of advice we deliver at Citizens Advice. This gives us some of the clearest insights into the way in which the system works and the challenges it poses.
Our research is focused on using our data and expertise to make the case for a system which is more responsive to the needs and circumstances of its users. This includes helping policymakers understand the impact of changes, working for better service design and highlighting the importance of robust advice and support.
Find out about all our welfare policy work.
22 February 2017
Citizens Advice has given written and oral evidence to the Public Accounts Committee’s inquiry into the effectiveness of benefit sanctions
21 September 2016
Citizens Advice gives evidence to the second independent review of the Personal Independent Payment Assessment.
18 July 2016
Citizens Advice gives evidence to Work and Pensions Committee inquiry on forthcoming changes to Jobcentre Plus.
13 January 2016
Citizens Advice has responded to the Government’s review of local council tax support schemes
16 November 2015
Citizens Advice responds to the Work and Pensions Committee inquiry on the local welfare safety net
17 September 2015
Citizens Advice response to the Work and Pensions Committee Inquiry on the timeliness and accuracy of benefit delivery
02 December 2014
Citizens Advice briefing on childcare costs and universal credit.
01 December 2014
Our best practice showcasing project aims to improve the experiences of people affected by welfare changes by promoting innovative and effective work by local authorities and housing associations in England and Wales.
12 September 2014
Citizens Advice supports action to enable and empower disabled people to lead independent and active lives. It is therefore vital to identify and meet needs arising from the effects of health conditions, impairments and disabilities. This is why we support the underlying policy rationale – based on the ‘social model of disability’ – for moving from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to PIP; namely that help toward extra costs because of a long term ill-health condition or disability should be based on how a person’s condition affects them, not the condition they have.
14 February 2014
Survey on bureaux referrals of clients to an emergency food provider.
28 November 2013
Support for childcare costs in universal credit briefing from Citizens Advice.
10 July 2013
Pilot project on the affect of Universal Credit changes for Citizens Advice Bureaux clients
08 February 2011
Citizens Advice response to the Welfare Reform Bill - Universal Credit: an exploration and key questions.
08 November 2010
An analysis of key welfare changes and their impact on low income households
