More information on Citizen’s Advice and other Financial Advice/Support
We’ve had some extra information from Citizens’ Advice’s manager of the specialist debt and specialist welfare rights teams.
Debt
We have a dedicated debt team who deal with issues relating to priority and non priority debts. We look at debt remedies to include bankruptcy, DRO, reduced offers of repayment, asking for debt to be written off in certain circumstances and are happy to negotiate with bailiffs and creditors to resolve debt problems. We can assist with any court action and help to resolve problems, we also look at ways increasing income and make sure individuals are not missing out on income they are entitled to.
Welfare Rights
The welfare rights team are funded by the Henry Smith charity and can assist people with refused benefits such as being found fit for work under Universal Credit(UC) or Employment and support allowance (ESA) and can also assist with refusals for disability benefits such as personal independence payments (PIP) and disability living allowance (DLA). We look at every case and challenge by way of mandatory reconsideration and appeal, we are able to obtain medical reports or medical notes from GP and consultants and put together a written case to the DWP and the Tribunal service, this is a free service and we are currently winning more than 85% of the cases we take on. In addition to this we always do a full benefits calculation which will show if the client or a family member is missing out on any other income.
We can take cases at any stage of the process even if the case has been heard at appeal and has been refused we can take the case forward if there has been an error in law in the way the decision was made.
Contacting Citizen’s Advice
At present, their phone lines are very busy. They are urging people to be patient, and if they can’t wait on the phone, they should email by going onto the website and pressing the ‘Contact Us’ button. CAB staff will respond to ALL emails within 24-48 hours.
Please call Telephone Advice Line: 0300 330 9048
Monday : 9:30am – 3:00pm
Tuesday : 9:30am – 3:00pm & 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Wednesday : 9:30am – 3:00pm
Thursday : 9:30am – 3:00pm
Friday : 9:30am – 1:00pm
Alternatively, for email advice please visit their website: www.calderdalecab.org.uk
