Alternative Offices
Alternative Offices are offices authorised by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to receive and verify social security claims made by older people.
There are currently two categories of Alternative Office:
- the local office of a voluntary organisation; [Footnote]
- the office(s) of a local authority which administers Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.
Many voluntary organisations have built up high levels of trust and expertise in supporting customers making benefit claims and are well placed to work in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to streamline the claiming process. Similarly, as well as their long-standing links with DWP through Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, many local authorities operate welfare advice teams, one-stop shops, etc. and are already used to assisting our mutual customers with a full range of social security claims. Going one step further in providing an Alternative Office facility is a natural and logical development.
An Alternative Office can receive applications for Pension Credit and claims for other social security benefits from people who are aged 60 or over. The relevant benefits are:
- Attendance Allowance;
- Bereavement Payment (claims from people aged 60–65 years);
- Carer’s Allowance;
- Disability Living Allowance (claims from people aged under 65 years);
- Incapacity Benefit (claims from people aged under 65 years);
- State Pension;
- Winter Fuel Payment.
In addition, an Alternative Office that is nominated by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and authorised by the relevant local authority may receive and verify Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit claims.
Note: It would be possible to authorise the office of a private sector organisation, and this option is under consideration. Back to text.
This information has been produced by the Department for Work and Pensions in collaboration with the Local Government Association and other government departments (August 2004)