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Advice | |
Please note our email service is currently suspended, listed below or useful links and contact numbers for a wide range of issues, should these prove unhelpful please see our service access page. Reading Citizens Advice Bureau provides a full generalist service using fully trained and supervised volunteer advice workers who have access to accurate and up to date information. Our advice is provided free at the point of delivery; we are an independent charity; our advice is impartial and delivered within a non-judgemental and non-directive process. We provide advice, information and advocacy on a wide range of issues and in particular the following main advice enquiry areas. The main areas of advice we help with are:- Welfare Benefits • Debt and Money Advice • Employment • Housing • Immigration and Nationality • Family and Personal Click here to see what your generalist adviser will be able to help you with Here are some useful links Benefits Check your entitlement with the Community Legal Service online calculator. www.entitledto.co.uk For people 16 – 59, of working age: You can download forms from www.direct.gov.uk For people over 60 years old They will advise on claiming state retirement pension, pension credit, disability benefits and how occupational pensions affect benefits. They can arrange home visits on request. For children Both are claimed for Her Majesty’s Revenue and customs, formerly the Inland Revenue, www.hmrc.gov.uk Debt and Money For detailed fact sheets on credit and debt and budgeting, go to www.adviceguide.org.uk/debt/helpwithdebt How to deal with your debt / Credit and debt fact sheets from our Citizens Advice website. Being prepared makes good use of interviews. You can also get advice from the financial services authority website www.fsa.gov.uk Consumer law Please contact consumer advice on 08454 040506 or visit their website on www.consumerdirect.gov.uk Employment ACAS, the advice conciliation and arbitration service, offers a phone service weekdays 0845 7474747 and a website www.acas.org.uk Advice Guide is available with a good booklet on grievance and disciplinary procedures in 10 languages www.adviceguide.org.uk/employment The Department of Trade and Industry website carries government legislation on employment www.dti.gov.uk and the Equal Opportunities commission carries advice and case histories on discrimination and unfair treatment www.eoc.org Housing Our website www.adviceguide.org.uk/housing has 18 factsheets. You can talk to Shelter 24 hours a day on 0808 808 4444. Contact you local authority for housing advice. Immigration Our website www.adviceguide.org.uk/immigration has basic information in 6 languages. The Home Office Immigration and Nationality directorate has extensive information www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk The website www.ukvisas.gov.uk has relevant information for anyone wanting to extend their stay. Other legal enquiries The government’s Community Legal Service run a legal advice helpline if you qualify for legal aid 0845 345 4 345 for free advice about benefits, tax credits, housing, employment, education or debt problems. Anyone can visit their website www.clsdirect.org.uk You may have also bought free legal advice with your house or car insurance. What your generalist adviser will actually do. Check current benefits received Explain rules and eligibility for all benefits (and social fund) Calculate entitlement to all means tested benefits and carry out better off assessment Identify situations where claiming may have adverse consequences (e.g. on immigration position) Assist clients with claims for benefits Progress, chase benefit applications and payments Identify situations where urgent action is needed, and ensure that appropriate action is taken Interpret and explain letters and calculations from benefit providers Advise on time limits and rights of appeal Write straight forward letters of appeal or complete appeal forms Explore other options for increasing income, including tax issues and grants from organisations Identify need for other advice e.g. debt, housing, family, employment Click here for an overpayment of tax credits fact sheet. (Opens as a PDF file in a separate window). Click here to return to the top of the page
Identify the nature and extent of the debt and money problem Identify what the client wants and discuss its feasibility Identify any situations requiring immediate action, and ensure that appropriate action is taken Check debt liability Identify and explain priority debts to client Assist client to draw up an initial record of their current income and expenditure Assist client to draw up an agreed and viable financial statement Produce a strategy by exploring with the client the priorities, possible options and consequences, what further help is available to the client Calculate and make suitable offers on priority debts Where money is available, calculate and make suitable pro rata, nominal or write off offers to non priority creditors Undertake preliminary negotiations with creditors to gain acceptance of offers Maximise clients income (using a range of methods) Identify need for other advice Click here for our credit fact sheet - Click here for our debt fact sheet - Click here for our bailiffs fact sheet Click here for our jargon buster fact sheet. (All open as PFD files in separate windows) Click here to return to the top of the page
Identify clients employment status where possible Explore action taken so far Identify cases where urgent action is needed and ensure that appropriate action is taken Explore possible issues of discrimination Explore barriers to excercising rights Identify need for benefits advice including in work benefits Advice client on statutory and contractual rights (redundancy, dismissal, maternity leave etc.) Advise on time limits and procedures Advise on present and future implications for job security, including for pregnant clients Advice on options and procedures for enforcing rights whilst still at work and/or after termination of employment Explore and advice on potential consequences of each option, both practical and legal, limitations and chances of success Explain ET procedures to client Assist with filling in ET1 and County Court forms Make initial contact with employer by phone of letter for clarification and for negotiation in straightforward cases Assist client to prepare for grievance/disciplinary hearings Seek appropriate help e.g. from trade union, ACAS or solicitor Advise self-employed clients on how to get advice on the income tax self-assessment scheme Click here to return to the top of the page
Identify clients housing status Advise on the main rights and obligations of occupancy Identify the stage reached in any legal proceedings Identify the need for benefits/debt advice Identify cases where urgent action is needed and ensure that appropriate action is taken Explain rights arising form family law and housing law in relationship breakdown Assist client on completing court forms Assist clients with the following areas of advice- Arrears Eviction Homelessness and re-housing Disrepair Discrimination issues relating to housing Click here for our Tenancy Deposits Factsheet (opens as a PDF file in a separate window) Click here to return to the top of the page
Identify who the enquiry relates to (if not the client) Establish whether client is coming to or already in UK Identify whether client is affected by immigration control by checking status/stamps in the passport and any other documents available Where possible decide whether client meets rules/test and consult with Immigration Supervisor Identify relevant time limits and situations requiring urgent action and seek appropriate assistance Identify cases involving recourse to public funds Explain immigration status to client Explain implications including time limits and recourse to public funds Explain in general terms procedures for making applications including entry clearance and variation of leave With appropriate supervision and where client’s situation is ‘clear cut’, assist client with application forms/sponsorship forms Identify need for other advice and assistance e.g. benefits, financial assistance Click here to return to the top of the page
Explore issues sensitively Identify situations where urgent action is needed (e.g. client cannot return home because of violence) and ensure that appropriate action is taken Identify and explain basic legal rights and responsibilities (e.g. young people’s rights, wills, ground for divorce) Identify need for housing/financial/immigration advice Identify where the local authority or other agencies have statutory obligations and powers which may affect the client or client’s children Identify appropriate sources of support and assistance Explore referral options appropriate to client’s needs Explain what level of support and practical help RCAB is able to offer Help client to complete court forms Assist with Child Support enquiries |
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