Citizens Advice helps secure additional £850,000 for Northumberland residents during pandemic

New figures have demonstrated the value of Citizens Advice Northumberland during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Staff and volunteers are giving one-to-one information and advice on a range of subjects over the phone and by email during lockdown.

Since the start of the pandemic, the charity has supported over 4,500 residents to secure additional income of £850,000 and had £500,000 of debt written off.

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The main enquiry areas have concerned money and debt, Universal Credit, employment and general benefit enquiries.

Citizens Advice BureauCitizens Advice Bureau
Citizens Advice Bureau

There has also been a surge in demand for help from the Citizens Advice website with 14,782 people from Northumberland visiting it during March.

Rachel Turnbull, operations manager, said: “We want to reassure people that our service is still very much available, albeit via different methods, but we can still help and we are still here for anyone who needs us during these uncertain times.

People have been getting in touch to ask about Universal Credit claims, for help accessing emergency provisions including food and fuel, and about employment concerns particularly relating to their rights under furlough.

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“We have also, unfortunately, seen a rise in the number of people contacting us with relationship problems.”

Abi Conway, chief executive, added: “I am so proud of our volunteers and staff who have quickly rallied round to ensure no-one needs to face the financial challenges of Covid-19 alone.

“Over the past month our team has helped as many people as possible with problems such as applying for benefits for the first time, navigating the government’s job support schemes, and worries over how to manage the bills.

“Citizens Advice was founded the day after World War Two was declared to support people at a time of national need. We are still here 80 years later to provide free, impartial, independent and confidential advice to anyone who needs it.”

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For general advice phone ​03444 111 444​ Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm or for email advice fill in the online form at www.citizensadvicenorthumberland.org.uk

For debt and money advice, call ​01670 339960 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm or text ‘DEBT’ to ​81400​ for a call back.

For energy advice, call ​01670 339960.

How To Claim: Universal Support, call ​0800 1448444​ Mon-Fri 8am-6pm or ​01670 339985. Email [email protected]

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