Citizens Advice Charnwood

 Since the first lockdown in March 2020, Citizens Advice Charnwood has helped nearly 1,500 people with over 4,500 issues. Many of these issues relate to the adverse impact of Coronavirus, particularly in the areas of benefits, debt and employment.

Local people are facing situations they never anticipated. Some are having to navigate the benefit system for the first time whilst many have needed help in understanding the new furlough and job retention schemes launched by the Government.

The number of debt cases are increasing in Charnwood with some people losing their jobs. In other cases, both people in a partnership are now unemployed, leading to extreme and unexpected hardship.

Citizens Advice Charnwood are able to make referrals to food banks for the most vulnerable and for clients moving to benefits for the first time, these may have a four week wait for payment to be made.

Ian Dennis, Chief Officer of Citizens Advice Charnwood, said “This year has been particularly challenging for everyone and like many other organisations we have had to look at how we can adapt to provide a service to the residents of Charnwood. In line with Government guidance, and without a break in our service, we moved away from face-to-face drop-in sessions to telephone.
“The coming months are going to be extremely difficult for a lot of people. Thanks to our dedicated team of paid staff and volunteers, we are here to ensure that people can access our service and get the help they need.”

The Charnwood team reacted quickly back in March and adapted their Loughborough offices making them Covid safe so they are ready to make some face-to-face appointments when the restrictions are finally lifted. These appointments are especially helpful to clients needing to complete some of the very complicated Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) forms they are currently struggling to do over the phone.

The team also ensured that they were able to look after local people through the Lockdown by setting up the Urgent Local Enquiry Line for Charnwood residents. This has proved a lifeline for many people who receive a call back, usually within an hour, from one of the team of advisors working from home. It is anticipated that the demand for the service will continue to increase whilst the restrictions are in place. Citizens Advice Charnwood will, of course, continue to advise on all the other matters that arise outside of Covid.

Citizens Advice Charnwood local enquiry line 01509 649 605
Monday 9.30-3.00
Tuesday 9.30-12.00
Thursday 9.30-3.00

More information and details of how we can help can be found on our website: www.charnwoodcab.org.uk