At DCK Solicitors, we are committed to helping you secure the benefits you are entitled to as quickly and efficiently as possible, while minimizing the risk of complications or delays. The process of obtaining welfare benefits begins with submitting a properly completed application, whether online, over the phone, or via a paper form.
Our experienced solicitors deeply understand the intricacies of the application process, ensuring your claim is handled correctly the first time. We know that errors or missing information can lead to denied claims or lengthy appeals, which may take months to resolve. By getting it right from the outset, we help you avoid unnecessary hurdles, ensuring that you receive the support you deserve in a timely manner.
Service Fees
- Unemployment Benefits: £2,500 – £5,000
- Tax Credits: £2,500 – £5,000
- Family Benefits: £2,500 – £5,000
- Property: £2,500 – £5,000
- Judicial Review: £5,000 – £15,000 (Conditional Fee Agreement available)
The fees listed do not include court fees, counsel’s fees, or VAT.
Our Areas of Expertise
Unemployment Benefits
If you are unemployed and struggling to find work, you may qualify for Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or Universal Credit. These benefits provide crucial financial support during your job search. Our team can assist with both contribution-based and income-based JSA applications, ensuring accuracy to avoid common errors that lead to rejections.
Tax Credits
For individuals and families with low income, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit are essential sources of financial support. We help you navigate the application process smoothly, ensuring all required information is correctly submitted. Our team also offers guidance on transitioning from these tax credits to Universal Credit, ensuring that your income is not interrupted during the change.
Family Benefits
Parents and guardians can claim Child Benefit and Childcare Benefits to support their children. Our team helps you access these benefits, ensuring you get the right financial support. We provide expert advice on claiming Child Tax Credit for children in education or training, making sure that you maximize your entitlements.
Childcare Benefits
If you are responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 if they remain in approved education or training), you may be entitled to a range of benefits to help with the costs of raising your child.
Child Benefit
You can receive Child Benefit for each child under your care, provided they are:
- Under 16, or
- Under 20 and still in approved education or training.
You do not need to be employed to qualify for Child Benefit, and it’s typically available to anyone responsible for the child. However, only one person can receive Child Benefit for a child at any given time. There is an income cap in place: if your income exceeds a certain level (currently £50,000 per year), you may be subject to a High Income Child Benefit Charge, which reduces or eliminates your entitlement.
Child Tax Credit
For families on a low income, Child Tax Credit can provide additional financial support for each child under 16, or under 20 if they are still in full-time education or training. Child Tax Credit is designed to support families regardless of whether you are working, and it does not affect your eligibility for Child Benefit. The amount you receive depends on your income, the number of children you have, and any disabilities within the family.
Help with Childcare Costs
Childcare costs can be a significant burden for many families, but there are several options for receiving financial support. Childcare costs are integrated into your entitlement to Working Tax Credit or Universal Credit, and you may be able to receive help from the government to cover part or all of your childcare expenses, such as payments for childminders, nurseries, or after-school clubs.
To qualify for help with childcare costs:
- You must use approved childcare services (regulated childminders, nurseries, or nannies).
- You may qualify for additional tax credits to help with these costs, provided your income and work status meet the criteria.
When calculating your entitlement to tax credits for childcare, only the costs that you personally pay can be included. This means if you receive free childcare from friends or relatives, those costs cannot be counted.
Eligible families can receive up to 85% of their childcare costs covered through Universal Credit, but the exact amount depends on your circumstances, including income and the number of children.
Judicial Review
If a public authority, such as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), has made an unfair or unlawful decision, our team can help you challenge it through Judicial Review. This process allows the court to examine the actions of public bodies to ensure they are legally compliant. Our experienced team provides representation for individuals seeking to contest unfair benefit decisions or other welfare-related matters.
Avoiding Common Application Errors
The first step in securing welfare benefits is completing a precise and accurate application. Even minor mistakes or omissions can lead to denied claims and drawn-out appeals. Our experienced solicitors specialize in ensuring that your application is submitted correctly the first time, avoiding these delays. We help you gather the right documentation and fill out forms accurately, reducing unnecessary hurdles in your claim process.
Legal Aid Services
We offer Legal Aid across all our welfare law services, ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent you from accessing the legal support you need.