CAB helps people get back £ 4.7m
East Ayrshire Citizens Advice Bureau has got £ 4.7million back for people in the past year.
It has recorded one if its busiest years yet in 2017/ 18 – providing advice 13,395 times – with advice in respect of benefits making up 56 per cent of enquiries – an increase of four per cent on last year.
Cumnock, Carrick and Doon Valley MSP, Jeane Freeman recently visited the Cumnock bureau to hear more about their services.
She said: “I visited East Ayrshire Citizens Advice to hear about the importance and value of independent advice services for my constituents in the Ballochmyle, Cumnock & Doon Valley areas.
“With the chaotic roll out of Universal Credit by the UK Government, these services are vital now more than ever to assist people in getting the free, confidential and impartial advice that is sometimes required to navigate this unnecessarily complicated new benefits system.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff and volunteers at East Ayrshire CAB, firstly for giving me an insight into the work that they do, but also for the assistance, they give to my constituents, day- in day- out.
“I would also like to thank East Ayrshire Council who recognise the value of CAB services and as the Bureau’s main funder.”
As well as having bureaux in Cumnock and Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire CAB also provide outreach services in Patna, Dalmellington, Muirkirk, Drongan and New Cumnock.
You can find full details of the services CAB provide at www. cas. org. uk or by calling 01563 544744.