CHARGING FOR SERVICES.

I have a question that I need to ask, as this is something I spotted on quite a few of these "benefit and welfare help" sites.

Why does an organisation such as this one, who are there to HELP people on benefits, and know how tight money can be while on those benefits, feel morally correct charging said people a membership fee, and one that can be, for some, too much of a lump sum in one go to pay?

I know that these types of sites/charities need to pay for there broadband, site fees etc etc, but couldn't these sites not supplement that income by advertisements on the site, or like some YouTubers do, post lots of links to shopping sites etc and recieve some remuneration for doing so?

If the government can make things free for people on benefits like prescriptions, and allow the DWP to pay their rent or pay towards it etc, and dental and medical treatment for people is for free in this country, then shouldn't these so called "help" sites do the same thing?

I am on benefits, PIP etc as I cannot work, and with my partner doing an apprenticeship on a start-up wage of just £5/hr, money is and has been really tight while also supporting 2 teenage children at college. One off payments of fees to join and get help from sites like this one, can be a tad too much all at once, and yet we are required/have to pay to get the help we need.
Maybe a site like this could offer a kind of incentive on NO WIN, NO FEE basis, as in making their mission statement " If we don't get you the benefits you are entitled to, then there's no fee". Then if someone does eventually receive those benefits, you could take a one off, or monthly donation for doing so??

Before anyone has a go at me, I am a massive BENEFITS & WORK fan, and this site has helped me on many an occasion, I have paid my yearly membership and I am an honest to God seeker of help for the benefits I am fighting for and receiving.

I am only wondering what other people's thoughts are on this as I am curious to the response from sites like this one.

Dear Trip77, I constantly urge people to claim PIP when I can see they ought to qualify. And I always tell them to look on here and use the free self test and home page advice, then subscribe if they are going to try claiming, or if they are already claiming and have a renewal or change of circumstances coming up.
I point out that the annual sub is less than the lowest award of PIP [standard mobility] for a single week. I'm afraid there really is no such thing as a free lunch but I reckon B&W is pretty close. They are also always generous about answering forum queries for people's friends' claims.
It would do my head in to have the page cluttered with adverts frankly and I think most neuro-diverse people would feel the same. There's also the question of 'he who pays the piper calls the tune' and I would dread any loss of independence for B&W.
IMHO none of the other help sites I've seen are as good as B&W if you are capable of following the Guides, which I do realise not everybody is unfortunately.
There is a no-win/no-fee service, it is kester disability rights if you are interested.
I do sympathise about low income and costs, our daughter dare not seek help with housing costs as this would trigger moving to UC and actually lose her money overall. But paying her half of the rent, utilities and food takes up all her PIP and ESAcb, with nothing left over for "extra costs of disability" such as treatments, at all. Her fiance works very hard for not a lot, [with huge weekly transport costs], but enough to put them just above any means tested help, so I'm not talking from some ivory tower here.
Best wishes,
Denby

Benefits and Work offers advice on how you should complete your form. It is an advice service not a bespoke one. They do not complete the forms for you.
I don’t feel that a no win no fee model would be inappropriate. This would be a bespoke service and with the volume of people just on the Forum would require a greater man/person power than they have. Bear in mind that the moderators are volunteers. I believe I am correct in this statement.
As far as advertising is concerned, it would clutter up and detract from the advice available. What type of adverts would be on a site like this. Other organisations offering a bespoke service? Their name and reputation would have a direct impact on B & W. If they did a poor job it would be linked to this site.
I think that the way the site is set up with the free forum for all is wonderful and at less than 50p per week tremendous value.

Hiya,
Personally I think it is a very fair price in order to obtain all the help and advice. Not everyone who is unwell and receiving non means tested benefits are as well off as those on means tested benefits. Those on means tested benefits are able to obtain many more freebies , like the the extra topups the govt is providing, access to reduced medical, dental, optical costs, food banks etc etc. Whereas those on legacy and non means tested benefits i.e cb esa and pip have a far harder time with less income and no chance in obtaining extra , this is an aside however it shows how we are all struggling. Perhaps splitting the annual subs quarterly would assist many, but that could incur extra charges as time and accountancy is not cheap. I would not like a watered down service to enable it to be free.