Citizens Advice

I can’t claim my full benefits entitlement because of my disability. What can I do? Getting benefits can be harder when you have a disability. For example, your disability may make it difficult to keep an appointment to sign on at a Jobcentre. You may also be disadvantaged by how your benefits are assessed, such as in a case where your disability is not immediately obvious or you can’t get to a medical assessment. Under the Equality Act 2010, which protects the rights of disabled people, you can ask the public authority to make reasonable adjustments so you’re not disadvantaged. This can be when you can’t keep your appointment or if you need the application process altered. Public authorities like the Jobcentre and the Department for Work and Pensions, and any third parties working on their behalf, have to abide by the Equality Act 2010. They must not discriminate against you when they make decisions regarding your access to benefits. If you’ve been discriminated against by one of these organisations, you may be able to complain to the public authority. For example, this may be if they’ve failed to make reasonable adjustments. If necessary, you can make a discrimination claim under the Equality Act. If you are unsure whether you have been discriminated against or not, you can contact Citizens Advice Adviceline: Monday to Friday 9.30am–2.30pm on 0344 848 7919 or freephone: 08082787897. I’m an EU citizen and I fear that I’m going to become homeless soon. Is there any help available for me? If you’re from the EU, European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you might be able to get help from your local council with social housing or somewhere to stay if you’re homeless. There are two situations where you can get help from the local authorities. First, you can get aid if you either have settled or pre-settled status. Secondly, you can get the aid if you have a right to reside now – and you also had a right to reside on 31 December 2020. If you’re not in one of these situations you’re usually ‘subject to immigration control’ – this means you can’t get help with housing. You can have a right to reside for different reasons – for example, to do with your work, family or time spent living in the UK. You should apply for pre-settled or settled status now if you can. Having pre-settled or settled status can help you get help with housing, and you’ll need it if you want to stay in the UK after 30 June 2021. If you do not have pre-settled or settled status, to get help with housing you’ll need to have both a right to reside when you apply and have had a right to reside on 31 December 2020. This can be any right to reside, for example, it includes as a jobseeker. If you first moved to the UK on or after 30 September 2020 you count as having a right to reside on 31 December 2020 – this is called the ‘initial right to reside’. Contact us through www.citizensadvicebanes. org.uk for further information. I want to reduce my expenditure on non-essentials. Do you have any tips for me? You can usually save money on the phone, internet or TV bill. You can do this by switching to a cheaper provider or to a bundle deal that offers you only what you need. Telling your provider that you’re thinking of switching may prompt them to offer you a cheaper deal to get you to stay with them. If you don’t want to stay with your current provider, find out if you’ll be charged an ‘exit fee’ to leave. You’ll usually be charged an exit fee if you’re part-way through a fixedterm contract, and it can be expensive. It might be better to wait until your current contract ends. If you have decided you want to make a change, there are a few steps you can follow. First, decide whether you want to get a bundle. They are sometimes cheaper and can simplify your monthly bills. You might be able to opt-out of broadband or TV if you think you do not need them. Afterwards, you need to compare tariffs and understand the quote. Beware of free trial periods. You do not want to get tied into a contract that seems advantageous at first but a few months later becomes a burden to your budget. Don’t forget to pay by direct debit as it is often cheaper than other ways of paying your bills. Also, get your old provider to set up the switch - it’s their responsibility. If you were on credit previously, remember to get a refund from your old provider for any remaining. You can read more about how to increase your saving by visiting www.citizensadvicebanes.org.uk/ solutions/debt-solutions. n Citizens Advice Bath and NE Somerset is a charity – please email les.redwood@cab-banes.org to support, donate or volunteer.