Benefits Service: What We Do

Our benefits service works alongside the Information Line and provides advice on benefit entitlements and helps you access the support you need. The service is open to anyone living in Oxfordshire with a mental health problem who is claiming benefits (or wants to find out about their entitlement). 

Benefits health checks: to ensure you are getting the benefits you are entitled to. 

Mandatory Reconsiderations: we are happy to support you with a mandatory reconsideration for your benefit claim. 

Appeals: we’re happy to support you with appeals and challenging decisions and will advise whether this is the best course of action. 

Who can use this service?

Anyone looking for benefit support, who has a mental health issue, whether this is help with an existing benefit or feel they may be able to claim a new one. The service is free and we will work with you to support yourself or your family for as long as it takes to resolve your issue. 

What happens next?

You will be asked a number of simple questions to make sure we understand your needs and how we can advise you. We will also carry out a Benefits Health Check, which will help us understand your situation and whether or not we can support you. This is a standard check that will provide us with the right information we need to make sure you get the right advice. 

How can you access this service?

By phone: Call the Oxfordshire Mind Information Line on 01865 247788 and ask to be directed to the Benefits Service (open Monday to Thursday, 9:30am to 4:30pm, Friday 9:30am to 4:00pm, closed bank holidays).

If the line is busy when you call please do leave us a message: the benefits team will aim to call back within 2 working days, if we miss you, we will leave a message unless you request that we do not leave one. 

You can email the benefits team at [email protected] and a benefits support worker will get back to you. 

By post: You can write to us on BBMH, Oxfordshire Mind, 2 Kings Meadow, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0D