The Ealing Advice Service (EAS) is an independent partnership of local charities offering free, high-quality advice and assistance in social welfare matters across a range of areas including welfare benefits, housing issues, debt, employment, social care, travel concessions, family and immigration.
It runs a telephone advice line where volunteers are able to give preliminary advice and signpost you to organisations which may be better equipped to deal with any problems you have. The EAS can also provide a limited amount of casework, face-to-face appointments and specialist advice.
Appointments are prioritised depending on client vulnerability, seriousness of the issues, and the possibility of achieving a positive outcome.
“The service works with roughly 5-6,000 people a year,” said Matt Coulam, service development manager at the EAS. “More than a third of enquiries to us in the past three months have related to benefits, and more than a fifth around housing.
“There’s also been a significant post-pandemic rise in transport-related enquiries, from people needing help with renewing blue badges and Freedom Passes.
“An emerging trend has been an increase in the number of evictions, homelessness enquiries, and the lack of options available to people looking to move into more appropriate housing. The rising cost of living has meant some landlords who are struggling financially are looking to gain access to capital by selling their property.”
The EAS advice line number is 020 8579 8429, (option 1), open from 10am-4pm Monday to Friday except bank holidays and the period between Christmas and new year. Alternatively, email info@ealingadvice.org
Ealing Advice’s website also provides contact details for specialist local and national services, and directories of other helpful organisations.
For more information on managing the cost of living crisis, visit the council’s cost of living advice webpages.
Community hubs
Four community hubs have been set up across the borough by Ealing Council – offering advice, internet access and a family-friendly place to relax.
If you do not have access to the internet at home or need additional help in accessing support, you are welcome to drop into your nearest community hub, where the council has trained advisors who are there to assist you. They are in Acton, Northolt, Southall and Ealing.
