Across the country Citizens Advice saved local authorities £57m in 2014 by reducing homelessness (see below). At Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead we value our working relationships with council members and staff to help people in arrears with council tax payment. Our advisers help the two sides agree a realistic repayment plan. That’s a plan that […]
Important changes to benefits and pensions take effect in April. Benefits Housing Benefit, Family Premium, Savings Credit, Assessed Income Periods Pensions Introduction to the new State Pension. BENEFIT CHANGES FROM APRIL 2016
Stereotype conceals genuine poverty and distress. Emergency payments and food banks are now facts of life in Reigate & Banstead. Our experience at Citizens Advice and information from Surrey Local Assistance Scheme (LAS) show not everyone is well-off in our prosperous county – in fact quite the reverse. Every week from October to December 2015 […]
Many claimants are disappearing from the benefits system after being sanctioned, according to a new report co-authored by Frank Field MP, chair of the parliamentary work and pensions committee. The report confirms the relevance of our local campaign on behalf of claimants whose individual circumstances aren’t recognised by the system. In autumn last year we began […]
We’re seeing more people whose problems are made worse by a disability or health condition. At Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead our advisers are very well-equipped to help as long as they know about the extra difficulty. We want to do the best we can for clients so in the next few weeks we’re putting […]
An unnoticed policy change being considered by the government will undermine effective partnerships between local authorities and debt advice agencies. This outcome would be the opposite of a proposal the government calls Improving efficiency of council tax collection* The Department for Communities and Local Government wants to give councils information allowing them to contact a bill-payer’s employer and enforce a […]
At Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead we’re proud to play a full part in the national Citizens Advice network. Now an evaluation of the full impact of the network across the country is available. By any standards it’s an impressive picture. It’s essential the public and policy-makers understand the national impact. But what really matters is the help given to so many unhappy individuals whose lives are improved by our efforts. Here’s one true story from the […]
As individuals and as a society we’re increasing our debts faster than any time since before the financial crisis in 2007. The debts come from ‘unsecured’ borrowing on credit cards, personal loans and overdrafts. This worries Bank officials by making the whole economy vulnerable to events such as those that caused the crisis. Citizens Advice […]
Festive season cost more than expected? Credit card(s) maxed out? Finding household bills hard to pay? Don’t wait till things get out of control. Take advice now. Fix an appointment with one of our debt advisers. Or check our online advice. Being in debt can feel lonely but it can get better. At Citizens Advice […]
Recent data show why sanctions policy should take more account of individual circumstances. The number of “street homeless” (living outside even temporary formal accommodation) is growing. Most recent official information (for 2014) shows a 14% national increase. According to new data from the Mayor of London, in 2015 there were nearly twice as many rough […]