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Campaigns
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29th October 2019 by Joseph Harley in Campaigns
‘A Rubber Stamp’ – Our report on the PIP appeals process
Introduction
Local Citizens Advice offices from across Surrey had identified a problem with the appeals process for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) from client evidence. PIP is a benefit to support people of working age that suffer from long-term ill-health or disability.
Dealing with PIP-related issues is an increasingly important part of the work of Citizens Advice,
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16th October 2019 by manager in Campaigns
Staying in the UK after Brexit
Staying in the UK after Brexit
If you’re from the EU, European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you and your family will usually need to apply to stay in the UK after 30 June 2021. The EEA includes EU countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
You can do this by applying:
- to the EU Settlement Scheme for ‘settled status’
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16th October 2019 by manager in Campaigns
What are hate incidents and hate crimes?
Hate incidents and crimes are acts of hostility or violence directed at people because of who they are or who someone thinks they are. For example, you may have been verbally abused by someone in the street because you’re disabled or someone thought you were gay.
If you’ve experienced a hate incident or crime you should report it to the police.
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16th October 2019 by manager in Campaigns
Who can inherit when there is no will?
When a person dies without leaving a valid will, their property (the estate) must be shared out according to certain rules. Only married or civil partners and some other close relatives can inherit.
Married partners and civil partners
These partners inherit only if they are actually married or in a civil partnership at the time of death.
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16th October 2019 by manager in Campaigns
Struggling to pay Council Tax?
Last year Citizens Advice helped 96000 people with Council Tax debts, making it our largest single debt issue. Missing an average council tax payment of £167 in the first month of the financial year can result in a debt of over £2065 in just 9 weeks.
What to do if you are struggling to pay
Don’t wait for them to contact you.
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16th October 2019 by manager in Campaigns
Beware of scams
The government introduced a ban on cold calling about pensions in January, but every month fraudsters think of new ways to trick people out of their money. Almost three quarters of us have been targeted by scammers in the last year. Here are some of the most common scams criminals are trying:
Pension cold calling
If you receive a phone call out of the blue about your current or future pension,
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16th October 2019 by manager in Campaigns
What can you do if you have been sanctioned?
If you’re receiving employment-related benefit payments such as Job Seekers Allowance (JSA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit you could suffer a “benefits sanction”. This can happen if you miss Job Centre meetings, fail to achieve agreed objectives or are suspected of attempting benefit fraud. You could then lose ALL your benefit payments for between 4 weeks and 3 years.
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24th June 2019 by manager in Campaigns
Healthwatch
Have you had a bad experience with your local health or social care services? We are here to help!
As well as providing you with support and advice about your individual issue, by telling us your experiences you may help to improve these services locally.
As part of the “watchdog” organisation Healthwatch Surrey we use the evidence we gather from people like you to help to influence positive change.
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6th December 2018 by manager in Campaigns
Getting the best deal from your energy supplier?
The energy regulator, Ofgem, is bringing in changes to make it easier, clearer and fairer for you to get the best deal when you buy electricity and gas. From 26 August 2013 suppliers must:
- carry out actions in a fair, honest, transparent, appropriate and professional manner
- give information which is complete,
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6th December 2018 by manager in Campaigns
On a low income?
A popular query on the national Citizens Advice website is what help is available if you’re on a low income. If you’re of working age but not earning enough to get by, there are some options.
To check what benefits you might be entitled to quickly and easily,
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