Advice Service

Quality Mark
All of the advice and information services provided through Search are continually monitored through Audits carried out by The Legal Services Commission. Our yearly audit ensures that Search continues to implement and adhere to the Legal Services procedures and guidelines, resulting in Search maintaining our Quality Mark status.

Other sources of advice
If you need some information now and do not live in the west end of Newcastle, are not of pension age or simply cannot contact us because our office is shut, visit our links page where you will find other useful websites with information for older people.
Search Finder
Search has produced a directory of useful sources of local information for older people in the West End of Newcastle. Drop in and pick one up or view it here

Search provides a comprehensive information, advice and welfare rights service through the drop-in advice shop, appointment systems, telephone queries and home visits to older people who are unable to get to the drop-in sessions.

All advice is free and confidential

The Drop-In Advice Service
The service is available to people of pensionable age and their carers who live in the inner west of Newcastle. The opening hours are Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm and our advice workers are happy to help you with any query you may have. This includes filling in forms, benefit checks, heating and housing problems. If we can't help you we will direct you to someone who can.

Home Visiting Service
If you have difficulty getting out of the house we may be able to make a home visit to help you with your enquiry.

Appointments
We operate an appointment system for more complicated problems and lengthy form filling, such as for Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance.

Telephone Enquiries
The office is normally staffed from 9am to 4pm and during that time we will try to help you with your enquiries or arrange to phone you back at a time that's convenient to you.

Carers Allowance
Changes in the law mean that people of pension age can now claim Carers Allowance as long as the person they are caring for is receiving either Attendance Allowance or middle/high rate care component of Disability Living Allowance. Qualifying for Carers Allowance could mean that you quality for Housing and Council Tax Benefit. If you think you may be entitled to extra benefits let us do the calculations for you and we can help with filling in the forms if necessary.