Advice
Topics
- Areas of Advice
- Welfare Benefits
- Consumer Rights
- Debt
- Employment Rights
- Family and Relationships
- Housing Rights
- Taxes
- The Legal System
- Immigration
Areas of Advice
The Bureau provides information and advice on a wide range
of problems and concerns. Here are some of the main
subject areas we have been consulted on in recent years.
Welfare Benefits
We can help with all types of social benefits, including, but not restricted to:
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- The Social Fund
- Tax Credits
- Disability Benefits
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Jobseekers' Allowance. We can assist in calculating your entitlement to the
various welfare benefits.
Consumer Rights
We can give you practical
help by providing advice on basic consumer rights where things have
gone wrong with goods and services you have purchased.
Advising you on the County Court procedures including Small Claims.
Debt
We can advise you on all
aspects of debt and the courses of action open to you including:
- Preparing a budget statement
- Helping you decide on the best strategy for dealing with your debts
- Negotiating with creditors
Prior to seeking debt advice you may find it helpful to download, print
and complete as much as you can of the
Money Advice Trust 'Guide to Working Out Your Budget'
(310kb)http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/budget_sheet.php?country=
england_wales
Please also see our Managing Your Money pages.
Employment Rights
If you unsure about your
rights at work, we can advise on your contractual situation and your
statutory rights, including the National Minimum Wage and holiday and
maternity/paternity pay.
We can give advice about benefits or Tax Credits you are entitled to when in
work. We can also
advise on discrimination at work.
We can give you assistance by:
- Checking redundancy payments are correct.
- Advising on changes to terms and conditions.
- Advising on your employee's individual contract of employment.
- Identifying possible claims for unfair dismissal.
Family and Relationships
We can
advise you on all aspects of housing including:
-
Separation and divorce
- Maintenance and child support
- Parents rights and responsibilities
- Change of name
- What to do when someone dies.
Housing Rights
We can advise you on all
aspects of housing including:
-
Rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants
- Housing Benefit
- Rent problems
- Eviction
- Problems with neighbours
Taxes
We can give advice on tax
problems, including:
-
Income Tax and Self Assessment
- Tax Credits
- Inheritance Tax
- Council Tax
- Capital Gains Tax
The Legal System
We can
-
Advise you on your entitlements under the Community Legal Service
- Assist you to pursue compensation for accidents and injuries
- Give advice and guidance about going to court
- Identify if you need a Solicitor and help you find the most appropriate one for
your case
Immigration
We can give basic advice
on many aspects of immigration such as:
-
Visitor Visas
- Fiance(e) or Spouse Visas
- Student Visas
- Work Permits
- Immigration status
- Welfare Benefits
- Asylum Seekers
- Refugees