Services
How can CAB help?
Volunteers Needed | Social Security | Debt | Employment | Housing | Legal Issues | Immigration and Nationality | Tax | Consumer
Sedgefield & District Citizens Advice Bureau offers a generalist advice service covering a wide range of enquiries and two specialist Debt Advice Workers funded through the Northern Rock Foundation, The Financial Inclusion Fund and the Legal Services Commission, a Health Advice Service funded by Sedgefield Primary Care Trust, and 2 Sure Start projects.
The front line service is provided by volunteers who have received at least 4 months basic training before interviewing the public. They are supported and supervised and their work is monitored by paid staff. The Citizens Advice information system, both electronic and paper based, is used when advising clients and updated monthly.
Ongoing training is provided for all workers to update their knowledge when new legislation is introduced and to develop their expertise.
The Bureau has been quality marked at the General Help Advice Level by Citizens Advice and the specialist level by the Legal Services Commission for debt and welfare benefits.
Details of the advice work the Bureau has undertaken in the past 7 years is as follows: Open Table 1
The Service dealt with 39,000 enquiries from clients in 2005/2006 and needs help from volunteers to deal with these enquiries. Volunteers form the backbone of the CAB service.
CAB staff come from all sorts of backgrounds. Qualifications are not necessary as full training, included IT training is given. Travel expenses are also paid.
The work of a volunteer can vary from a simple piece of benefit advice to making phone calls or writing letters.
For more information call into your nearest bureau or contact Pauline Chambers, Spennymoor Manager on 01388 420147 or Karen Stewart, Newton Aycliffe Manager on 01325 321158.
CAB advisers are experienced in dealing with Social Security enquiries. We sort out difficulties with benefit claims, help fill in forms and check that people are receiving their full entitlement.
Debt is a problem for millions of people struggling to make ends meet. The CAB says tackle it early and don't let bills pile up and seek help in drawing up a budget and realistic payment plans. CAB can negotiate with creditors such as utilities companies.
Employment problems are often caused by terms and conditions in the workplace. The CAB can advise on contracts and statutory rights for employers and employees, and suggest courses of action following redundancy or dismissal.
People seek guidance form the CAB on a wide range of legal issues including going to court, claiming compensation, entitlement to legal aid and complaints against solicitors and the police.
The CAB advises on immigration and nationality: people may be seeking asylum or separated from their families abroad.
Tax advice includes facts and figures about income tax and council tax, and help with forms.
The CAB can sort out consumer problems, from a disappointing holiday to a dispute over a builders bill.