Disability Benefits Form Filling Volunteers - Citizens Advice Cheshire East

Closing for application : 31 Aug 2025

Would you like to help other local people (Crewe area) with forms including applying for ill health and disability benefits, Blue Badges and Housing Benefit? If you: Would like to learn new skills Enjoy helping people Are a good listener Are friendly and approachable Are confident with both written and oral communication Can use a computer Have 6 hours a week free (over 1 or 2 days) Would like to give back to your community Then we would like to hear from you!

Age: 18 - 80
When: Weekdays
Where: Hybrid
Commitment:

Full training provided

  • What will you do?

  • 1.Complete an introduction to Citizens Advice and training for your role
    • 2.Complete paper and online forms with clients, for example to apply for a benefit, or to complete an application for money or equipment from a charity
    • 3. Write a summary of the clients’ problems and what action you’ve taken
    • 4. Look out for problems’ that are common, or are unfair, and write a short report about the problem or a letter to an elected official like an MP, AM or local councillor.
      Some examples of what you could do: 
  • 1.Help clients understand eligibility for a disability or sickness related welfare benefit
  • 2.Explain to clients how to apply for a disability or sickness related welfare benefit
  • 3.Help clients to complete their claim for a disability or sickness related welfare benefit
  • 4.Explain what the next steps are to clients

  • What’s in it for you?

    • 1. Make a real difference to people’s lives 
    • 2. Gain in-depth knowledge about of welfare benefits for people who are sick or disabled
    • 3. Build on valuable skills such as communication, questioning and listening, interpreting information and summarising
    • 4. Increase your employability
    • 5. Work with a range of different people, independently and in a team.
    • 6. Have a positive impact in your community
  • And we’ll reimburse expenses too.

    What do you need to have?
    You don’t need specific qualifications or skills but you’ll need to:

    • 1. Be friendly and approachable
    • 2. Be non-judgmental and respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own
    • 3. Have good listening skills
    • 4. Have excellent verbal and written communication skills 
    • 5. Have good maths and IT skills
    • 6. Be able to understand information and summarise it
    • 7. Be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies, including confidentiality and data protection
    • 8. Be willing to undertake training in your role


  • How much time do you need to give?

    Ideally we ask for 6 hours per week, which can be over one day or spread over two days, for at least 6 months. 

    We can be flexible so come and talk to us.

  • Valuing inclusion

    Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds and we particularly welcome applications from racially minoritised people/people of colour, disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people.

What is next?

If you are interested in becoming a form filler and would like to discuss this further, email Charlotte at [email protected] or Call 01270 918156