This is an important and timely intervention by INVOLVE to ensure people get the right advice and support about how payment of fees and expenses for their public involvement in NIHR might affect their receipt of state benefits.  Please read the following for more information on how this service will operate. With thanks to our partners in helping to make this happen.

New confidential service launched today 29 January 2015

• a new service offering personal advice and support on how payment of fees and expenses for public involvement might affect people in receipt of state benefits
• National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) in partnership with others is offering a service that covers advice on payment of fees and expenses for public involvement in health or social care research, service design or service delivery
• the service will be provided by Bedford Citizens Advice Bureau, initially as a pilot for one year.

Who is the Benefits Advice Service for?

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is offering this confidential service to:

• members of the public involved with NIHR organisations or NIHR funded research projects.
• staff within NIHR organisations who are supporting members of the public to get involved.

INVOLVE is funding this service on behalf of, and for the NIHR. Other partners who are also part of the service are:

• NHS England
• Health Research Authority(HRA)
• Involving People (Wales)
• Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and Think Local, Act Personal (TLAP)

Further information is available on the INVOLVE websitewww.invo.org.uk/resource-centre/benefits-advice-service/