Carol Bennett is a highly experienced and compassionate Welfare Benefits Advisor, with over 30 years of service in the public, housing, and healthcare sectors. She is the founder of CM Benefits, an independent consultancy offering expert support to individuals navigating the complex UK benefits system.
Carol is especially passionate about helping people vulnerable individuals, particularly those who have experienced personal injury, gain access to the financial support they are entitled to.
Carol has a calm, honest approach to benefits advice which, along with her comprehensive understanding of benefits legislation, helps her to empower clients to take control of their financial circumstances during difficult times.
For those affected by personal injury, Carol offers knowledgeable and results-driven support, to break down the barriers to the UK benefits system. She is known for her client-focused approach, her meticulous attention to detail, and her unwavering commitment to fairness and social justice.
Areas of Specialism
- Personal Injury Support
- Welfare Benefits Advice
- Income Maximisation
- Mandatory Reconsiderations & Appeals
- Affordable Warmth & Financial Inclusion
- Grant Applications
- Staff Training & Awareness
Career Highlights
- Founder – CM Benefits
- Welfare Benefits Advisor – Macmillan/NHS
- Welfare Rights Advisor – Raise, South Liverpool Homes, Riverside
- Money Advisor – Golden Gates Housing Trust
- Training & Staff Development Officer – Wirral Council
- Housing Benefits Assessor and Customer Advisor – Wirral Council
Qualifications
- Foundation Degree in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector
- Certificate of Education
- NEBSM Certificate in Supervisory Management
- D32/D33 NVQ Assessors Qualification
- NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration
Notable cases
ANON:
After carrying out a benefit review for one of our Court of Protection clients, Carol discovered that the client was paying around £5,000 per year in council tax, as he lives in a property in the highest council tax band. On investigation, the court of protection team had been told by another agency that he was not entitled to any help towards his capital due to the number of adults in the property. Carol explained that this did not seem to be right as the client is the liable person for council tax so made an application for council tax support to cover the majority of the liability.
ANON:
Carol helped a client who had not been awarded housing costs as part of their Universal Credit award, as they were only living in their home on a licence as the landlord did not want to give them a tenancy. The client also had a carer that regularly needed to stay overnight to help with their care, which required an extra room. Carol helped the client to put a message on their Universal Credit journal, helping them to get their housing costs paid, and at a higher rate of the Local Housing Allowance. Carol pointed out that there is no legal definition for some of the terms used in this legislation, for example what counts as a ‘bedroom’ in these circumstances, how many nights is ‘regularly’ etc. which helps people to get more of their rent covered.
