Can I get a refund on my cancelled flight?
I have a couple of items that I bought through Brighthouse and have been struggling to pay off over the past couple of years, racking up further debt to make payments on. My income has dropped further as I am off work due to coronavirus. I missed my recent payment with Brighthouse but have now heard they have gone bust. What can I do? Do I still need to pay them?
Brighthouse went into administration on March 30 and has closed its Paisley store. Your contract for repayments with them does not change, though they are not charging any late fees or interest on missed payments during the coronavirus.
You can ask for a payment break on the Brighthouse website or over the phone.
Renfrewshire Affordable Credit Alliance (RACA) is pointing out that the regulator found Brighthouse had failed to check with many customers that their repayments were affordable, and so there may be many people in Renfrewshire who should make a complaint on this basis.
If you do this, you may be refunded the interest you paid.
RACA also say that people shouldn’t panic and look to doorstep or payday lending. Local credit unions can be found at http:// mycreditunionrenfrewshire.co.uk/ and an alternative affordable source for rent-to-buy is the not-for-profit Fair For You, which can be found online.
I am a student in my final year of study. I have finished all of my exams, but am unable to find work due to coronavirus. I won’t have paid National Insurance Contributions for the past couple of years, but wondered if I could claim Universal Credit?
Unless your circumstances mean that you are in the category of students who can receive Universal Credit during term time, most commonly, where you are responsible for a child or on disability benefits, you will have to wait until after the last day of your final academic year before you can apply.
Check with your education provider when this is and apply the following day.
If you are in hardship in the meantime, the Scottish Government has recently announced £5million worth of support to students.
This can be applied for through your college or university’s hardship fund.
I had a flight originally booked to attend a family event in France next month. I have received confirmation from the airline company that my flight has been cancelled, and their email offers to rebook my flight at a later date. I have no plans to go to France now. Can I ask for a refund instead?
Yes, you should be able to get a refund for your flight.
Bear in mind that it may not be so clear cut for other costs of your holiday, accommodation, for example, and you may need to speak to your travel insurer, or see if you are covered under your home or bank account insurance.
I’ve read in the last few days that I should be keeping my cat indoors. It is already causing her distress as she’s used to going outside. What should I do?
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has clarified its advice in relation to recent headlines. You can see the full statement on their website bva. co.uk
They have explained that the advice to keep cats indoors is precautionary, and is in relation to infected households and where people are self-isolating and only where the cat is happy to be kept indoors.
While acknowledging that the virus could be present on an animals’ fur and that the advice remains to practice good hand hygiene, the president of the BVA has stressed the importance of not panicking about your pets. There is no evidence that animals can pass
the disease to humans.
Please note that the Citizens Advice Bureau in Renfrewshire is continuing to provide an advice service via telephone and online. Any updates will be posted on Facebook and Twitter.