Organised by Citizens Advice PeterboroughWe've seen a huge increase in demand for our services as a result of Covid-19 and we're not expecting that to stop. So we're asking for your help to allow us to continue supporting those who need it the most within our communities.
Citizens Advice Peterborough is a small independent charity providing impartial advice and information to anyone and everyone within Peterborough. We offer advice on issues such as: debt and benefits, immigration, housing, employment and more. We also provide internships and outreach programmes to vulnerable groups.
In 2019, we dealt with 22,534 advice issues and an incredible 82% of the people we helped said our support improved their lives.
Our aim is to make sure the residents of Peterborough receive the support and advice they need when life gets tough. However, we rely mainly on local funding and our growing team of amazing volunteers to do this.
The devastating impact of Covid-19 for many people means that our service is needed now more than ever.
I will get through this hard time and get back to myself again thanks to the information, advice and support from Citizens Advice Peterborough.
Thank you so much for your support, you have made me feel like I am not lost.
We are a local charity that relies on trained volunteers across Peterborough. You can come to us with any problem, or concern, whether it's about money, benefits, housing, health, consumer issues or employment. You may be in crisis, or just considering your options. We can help you.
Pavel worked two part-time jobs on zero-hour contracts. At the start of the pandemic lockdown, neither employer had any work for him, and neither offered to furlough him.
Pavel was concerned he would have no money to pay his rent so he contacted CAP for help. We told him about the job retention scheme and advised him to negotiate with his employers to see if he was eligible for the furlough pay. We also advised how to claim Universal Credit which would increase his income and help him to keep his accommodation.
Helping Pavel to increase his income will enable him to continue paying his rent while he is not working, preventing him from sinking into debt or being evicted from his home during this difficult time. Keeping a roof over our clients heads and preventing homelessness is a key focus for Citizens Advice Peterborough.
Jane is a single mother with a toddler. She receives benefits from both Universal Credit and Council Tax Support. Jane got a bill of almost £4000 from her previous landlord for unpaid council tax the property was revalued at a higher rate so she was liable for the increase!
Jane came to Citizens Advice Peterborough for help. Our adviser tried lots of avenues to help Jane, like challenging her liability and applying for Discretionary Council Tax Reduction both of which were refused. We made an appeal on Jane's behalf to the Valuation Tribunal but with the outbreak of coronavirus the hearing was cancelled.
After some time, the council agreed to review the request for discretionary reduction and Jane's bill was reduced to under £1000 and a manageable monthly figure of £16 agreed!
Tom split up with his partner in January and was trying to make a claim for Universal Credit. In desperation, he had resorted to taking money from his private pension to keep himself afloat. With nowhere else to go, Tom eventually came to us for help.
Our adviser explained to Tom the claims process, including information about council tax reduction, debt advice, income maximisation and benefit eligibility. The adviser stayed on the phone with Tom while he completed the claim.
Tom's new claim for Universal Credit went through and he applied for council tax reduction.
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