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Coping With Crisis

We are a social barometer of the communities we serve. Our advice services and casework reflect current needs, issues and concerns, as we are often the first port of call. This has been the case from our beginnings 70 years ago, when Citizens Advice Bureaux around the country were set up to deal with problems arising from enemy action and wartime austerity.

The economic crisis has preoccupied both the Bureau and our clients this year. First, the credit crunch, with restrictions on the availability of credit, and reducing equity on homes. Then, rising inflation, stretching household budgets to breaking point. This was followed by the recession and consequent business closures and redundancies, together with unemployment. All these issues have lead people to our doors, in increasing numbers. This has been a good time to begin our new Gateway assessment system, to help us manage the demand. Surveys show this has been popular with clients though we still need to address the problem of lengthy waiting times.

Though there is always scope for efficiency improvements, they are not enough to help us meet demand. To that end, we have been successful both in securing funding we have received in previous years and in gaining an additional 12.7% from various sources, principally to help us deal with more client problems arising from consumer debt and the recession. Alongside this a new recruitment campaign and fast track adviser training method has been established to help us increase our numbers of paid and voluntary staff.

The good response from volunteers, funders and local and national partner organisations has been gratifying. During its 70 year history the Citizens Advice Bureaux service has had to continually adapt to challenging and changing circumstances in order to maintain and expand services. This ability will continue to be evident in the coming years, particularly as we could be faced with reductions in public sector spending. Many of our projects, including some established this year, are due to expire over the next 12 months. This means working ever harder and skilfully to attract resources and strengthen our financial position, and to enable the public to get the advice they need when they need it, and in the way that best suits their circumstances.

Steve Wiseman - Chief Executive Officer

12/10/2009

Norfolk Families and Pensioners set to benefit

From Monday, 2 November 2009, low-income families and pensioners in Norfolk could receive a welcome cash boost, following changes to the national benefits system.
Claimants with children will be better off as Child Benefit will no longer be counted as income when housing and council tax benefit is being calculated.
Pensioners claiming housing and council tax benefit could also be better off, as they can now have capital of up to �10,000 - up from �6,000 - before they start seeing a reduction in benefits. (Local Authorities use a formula to assume pensioners' 'income' from any capital they hold, and reduce their benefits payments accordingly.) The upper limit for savings and capital is unchanged at �16,000.
The changes to the benefits system may mean that some people who were not previously eligible may now find that they are able to claim benefit.
Steve Wiseman, Bureau Chief Executive Officer: "We understand that local authorities have been checking existing claimants� details to see if they are entitled to any extra money and will be writing to them informing them of how their benefits have been recalculated, but if you feel you are entitled to more you could get in touch with your council or the Bureau�
Anyone who wasn't previously eligible but who thinks they may now be should contact their local council or the Bureau

2/11/2009

Give your time as a volunteer We urgently need more volunteers to help us at the CAB. Please visit our vacancies page for our list of current vacancies.
	12/10/2009

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	12/10/2009