How we helped, April to September. In the first half of 2017-18 our trained advisers helped fellow citizens tackle more than 5000 different problems. The chart below shows the most frequently raised categories. Among the most problematic Benefit issues were Employment Support Allowance, Housing Benefit and Personal Independence Payments. Biggest Debt issues linked to housing: rent arrears and unpaid council tax. Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead offers free support to local […]
Price cap. Safeguard tariff. Default tariff. Energy price announcements fluttered down like the leaves. Government published a draft bill (1) it says “would see rip-off energy prices capped for millions of households”. Citizens Advice said the bill was “an important step towards an energy market that works better for consumers” (2). Ofgem, the energy regulator, has […]
It was all down to you! Our client of several months and her husband dropped by our Banstead office today with a big bunch of flowers and a thank-you note for our lovely volunteer Sue. She said they were really grateful for all the time Sue had spent with them and so delighted they had succeeded in getting her Attendance Allowance and Blue […]
Early signs are the new Citizens Advice Crawley court desk is appreciated by people facing action but also judges, staff and those seeking a court judgement. Desk Officer Brian Fissenden (pictured) is pleased with progress made by the service which began in July following closure of the Redhill and Reigate courts in March. “When the courts closed we made a strong case for access to […]
Financial risk affects 25m people. Large scale research by the Financial Conduct Authority* shows why Citizens Advice is asked to help so many with debt and other money worries. Potentially vulnerable covers “those who may be less able to engage with their finances or with financial services. The reasons for this can vary from low financial resilience to suffering […]
Merland Rise Church, Merland Rise. First Tuesday every month. Drop in 9.30am – 12.30pm Our service is free, confidential and open to everyone. Advisers are trained to help with virtually any issue, including: welfare benefits money and credit problems employment consumer rights housing neighbourhood disputes education and healthcare immigration and residency queries family and personal issues […]
Are you, or friends or colleagues, aware of maternity services that could be better? Our friends at Healthwatch Surrey would like to hear from you. They are particularly interested in issues with new-born checks. Share your experiences here. There are nearly 700,000 live births each year in England. Having a baby is the most common reason for a […]
“Delighted to play our part.” Living and Ageing Well in Surrey is 5 years old. And judging from Ageing Well Week 2017 (2-6 Oct) going from strength to strength. Citizens Advice joined an excellent turnout for Ageing Well Day expertly organised by Age Concern Banstead. Helen Howe, our Banstead community links volunteer said: “We were delighted to play our part in a great event. […]
Essential Update. From the group that gives us all a say in improving the NHS. Epsom-St Helier Hospitals Time to get online GP services report LGBT experience survey (ends 15 Oct) Prescriptions survey (21 Oct) Community and Faith Sector survey (13 Oct)