The Disability Advice Bureau can help individuals who have disabilities and their carers to speak up, understand their rights and get the services they are entitled to.  Our trained and experienced advice workers and advocacy caseworkers can help you or the person you care for in the following areas:

• Benefit Form Filling
• Disability Living Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Debt Advice
• Blue Badge Applications
• Retirement benefit
• Challenging decisions
• Individual Budget Support Planning
• Advocacy

DAB’s advocacy and advice service is provided by Ealing Centre for Independent Living and Ealing Mencap.

Accessing the DAB Information & Advocacy Service

You can contact DAB via phone, email or by dropping in to our office. Referrals can also be made by carers and professionals.

What happens next?

If you want to find out about specialist organisations to meet your specific needs, DAB’s advice workers will help you to make contact with them.

If you need advice or guidance which may take more time, our advice workers will arrange a time when you can meet 1:1. The DAB service has confidential interview space on-site.

If you need someone to speak up on your behalf, the advice worker will refer you to DAB’s advocacy service who will contact you to arrange an appointment. Your advocate can meet with you on-site or, if required, attend meetings and appointments in other locations depending on your circumstances. The advocacy service deals with cases according to priority, so there may be a waiting list.

What you can expect from DAB staff

• Local Knowledge - DAB staff have access to a resource library and have an extensive knowledge of the services and organisations in Ealing and neighboring boroughs.
• Training - DAB staff have received training in specific areas including welfare benefits, housing and social care legislation.
• Experience - DAB is a partnership of Ealing Mencap and ECIL. Both organisations have long histories of working with people who have disabilities and their carers in Ealing.
• Professionalism—DAB works within a clear set of policies for the benefit of our staff and clients. This includes Data Protection, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities

Contact

For more information about the DAB Information & Advice Service please call 020 8840 8573.

Ealing Mencap delivers DAB Advocacy & Advice in parnership with Ealing Centre for Independent Living.