Start with the letter, the deadline and what has happened.

What to include

1. Where you live — England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, because benefit systems and routes differ.
2. The benefit or issue — for example PIP, a UC health-related form, Attendance Allowance, DLA for a child, Mandatory Reconsideration or tribunal.
3. The latest document — tell us what letter, form or notice you have received.
4. The date and deadline — include the exact date on the letter and any response, appeal, submission or hearing deadline.
5. A short summary — one or two paragraphs explaining what has happened and what you need help with.

Please do not send everything at once

Welfare matters can involve special-category health data, financial information and information about family members or carers. Please do not attach a full medical record, bank statements, identity documents or a large collection of sensitive material to an ordinary first-contact email. We will tell you what is actually relevant and how documents should be provided.

Important: contacting us does not protect a deadline

An enquiry does not create a client relationship and does not extend, pause or protect a DWP, tribunal or other deadline. Until we expressly accept an instruction in writing, you remain responsible for taking any step needed to preserve your position.

What happens after contact?

We assess jurisdiction, urgency and whether the matter appears to be within scope. We may ask for one or two key documents before quoting. If we can help, the work, fee, assumptions and boundaries are confirmed in writing before paid work starts. If the issue falls outside our remit, we will say so rather than accepting work we should not undertake.