Mary contacted Citizens Advice on behalf of her daughter who had been working as an apprentice hairdresser prior to the pandemic, was furloughed and then recently dismissed without warning.
Action/Outcome: We explained that, as her daughter had been employed for less than two years she would not be able to make a claim for unfair dismissal. However the employer did not appear to have followed a fair dismissal process which might provide grounds for the daughter to challenge her dismissal. We also calculated what the daughter was owed in terms of notice pay, outstanding wages and holiday pay. We helped draft a letter including all these points and the daughter subsequently received a settlement offer from her employer which she accepted.
Lucy was in her 70s and disabled. She contacted CA having been the victim of a financial scam. The Police had been involved and her bank had frozen her account whilst an investigation was completed. Lucy had lost in excess of £20k and came to CA for help accessing the local foodbank.
Action/Outcome:
We referred her to BESOM food bank and completed a benefits check which identified she may be eligible for Council Tax Reduction. We also analysed Lucy’s bank statements which identified that there were in excess of 25 direct debits being taken every month. Lucy admitted that she received numerous calls from cold callers asking for money so spent as much time out of the house as possible. She found the calls confusing and distressing and had hoped that by agreeing to make payments the calls would stop.
We wrote to her bank requesting a full list of direct debits and helped Lucy identify the legitimate ones. We helped her draft a letter asking the bank to cancel all the unnecessary direct debits. The bank cancelled in excess of 20 payments and immediately refunded several hundred pounds under the direct debit guarantee which Lucy was able to use to pay outstanding council tax.
In order to stop the constant cold calls, an Adviser liaised with Trading Standards who arranged for a call-blocker system to be installed at Lucy’s home.
Following our help Lucy has sufficient income to pay all her expenses and is no longer reliant on the foodbank and says her mental health has dramatically improved. .
Fran contacted us in distress. She had been ill in recent months and was no longer able to work, meaning her and her partner were reliant on his state pension. At the time of call, the client had no money available so could not top up her gas meter. She had run out of gas four days earlier and had very little food left.
Action/Outcome: A benefit check was completed which identified that Fran may be eligible for universal credit and council tax reduction. She was given help to apply for universal Credit online and is awaiting the first payment.
As well as referring Fran to the local foodbank, she was signposted to the Surrey Crisis Fund which could provide some financial help towards their energy costs. Due to the emergency situation and time it might take for the client to access other help, the client was awarded £50 from the Hardship Fund which was delivered to the client the same day.
Craig was referred to us by the local housing association. He was trying to rebuild his life following a traumatic time over the last year. He lost his mother (who he lived with) and two close friends. He was then in an abusive relationship and his partner took his money and destroyed items in his home. He suffered physically and mentally and was on a very low income from Universal Credit as he had rent and debt deductions.
Action/Outcome: We applied for over £4300 of grants with 6 different organisations to reduce, or in some cases, clear Craig’s debts. We also helped him access practical help including a new phone, furniture, washing machine and food. Finally, we worked with Craig to complete his PIP form and gave him energy advice as part of our Energy Advice Project. As a result Craig’s living conditions have improved, as has his confidence and he is able to start to look to the future.
