What CAB can do to help you
This week I have decided to give an overview of the Bureau in East Kilbride, what services we can provide both at our offices or at outreach venues throughout the town, also the services available via the Citizens Advice Bureaux across Lanarkshire.
East Kibride CAB opening hours are: Monday, Tuesday and Friday open sessions (drop –in) 9.30am – 4pm; Wednesday telephone service 10am – 1pm, Wednesday appointments 10am – 1pm (general no debt or benefit appointments); Thursday by appointment only 9.30am – 4pm and Thursday evening 5-8pm (appointment only money & benefit advice); Saturday morning 10am – noon (appointment only benefit advice).
The bureau provides a generalist service – we are a holistic service and provide advice and information on most topics including:
Social Security benefits – form filling, advice on qualification for benefits, mandatory reconsideration, representation at benefit appeals.
Debt – assist with general debt advice and negotiation with creditors, options open to clients, also can provide assistance to complete debtors applications for bankruptcy, can refer for debt arrangement scheme.
Consumer – we provide general advice and information on consumer problems.
Employment – general advice and information on rights and responsibilities of employees, employers, can assist with grievance procedures and disciplinary procedures, to advice stage, can advise on how to lodge employment tribunal paperwork.
Housing – we provide advice on housing issues i.e. problems with landlords, disputes re rent, leaving tenancy early, eviction, notice periods, tenancy agreements, repossessions.
Relationship – we give advice regarding separation, divorce procedures and issues regarding children.
Utilities – we provide assistance to deal with energy suppliers, including problems with bills, problems with paying for power.
Health – we provide assistance to deal with issues and problems with the NHS, from access to services to complaining about how you or a relative has been treated.
These are the main topic areas but we also give advice on other areas including legal issues, education, travel transport, tax, discrimination and immigration.
Joint projects operated through the CAB service include:
Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP) – This project is managed by Motherwell & Wishaw CAB and is a Lanarkshire wide service. The ASAP worker can interview clients both at home or in their local CAB. The service is for serving, ex serving, Veterans and their families. The service can assist with benefit issues, employment seeking, financial (has access to grants which maybe available).
Patients Advice & Support Service (PASS) – This service is managed by Clydesdale CAB, this is the service which helps people deal with issues and complaints that they have about the NHS. The worker can assist people either by home visiting or attending local bureau to interview client.
If you would like any further information on any of the services offered or any other advice please call into our office in the bus station or visit http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/ scotland.