Benefits advice?

Question

I am considering setting up an agency specifically to help people with advice on welfare benefits, debt advice and money management who are recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. The current position seems to be to refer to Citizens Advice who may have the information but perhaps not the level of empathy required to deal with this type of client. In no way is this meant as a criticism of CAB who do a superb job but are increasingly inundated with advice requests. In an environment which encourages multi-agency networking I thought a specialist agency may be beneficial. Many thanks

Answer 1

Sounds like a very good idea but financing might be a problem, it would also be likely to be bound up in red tape!

Answer 2

The good thing about citizens advice, is that the service is free for anybody who needs it.

You will need to evalualate how you plan to make this agency work, as no client especially an alcoholic or anyone whos skint from losing a job etc will fork out fees to see a consultant, when there is legal aid and citizens advice around the corner, who are willing to help freely.

Answer 3

This seems a good idea on the surface. it needs thinking though properly, and you need to get some good liability insurance.
Do you think you will be able to rely on public donations to run this agency, or will you be charging these people you think you have empathy for?
Will your staff work for nothing or expect to be paid a living wage? If you are going to pay the staff, and pay for the rent on a premises, how much will it cost the client?
In the area where I live, some people cannot afford the shoes to put on their feet to walk to the CAB, never mind having to pay for the privilege.
Good luck to you.

Answer 4

I completely agree with this suggestion.

Following an accident many years ago which left me with severe mobility and care issues, I have been in receipt of Disability Living Allowance. To cut a long story short, I have an adapted car from Motability which enables me to have some degree of Independence and allows me to get to and from work. I have just been re-assessed for the benefit and have had it taken away from me, for no other reason that someone at the DWP decided (without a medial examination) that I am able to walk and care for myself.

I now face a fight to get the benefit re-instated, if I am unsucessful then I will loose my car in May, which will result in me having to give up my job as public transport is not an option for me.

I now need the expertise of a someone who knows the benefits system to help me to fight my appeal. I have tried for many weeks to get in touch with the CAB but I can't even get through to them on the phone. I have done all the work to this point by myself but I now need someone to represent me at the appeal hearing but I don't know where to look.

Answer 5

I think that would be a wonderful idea - I have contacted CAB many times and have only ever on one occasion managed to speak to someone - the service was excellent and they phoned me back as they needed to find further information and I was pleased. However, I usually have to end up looking through their website or phone several different other helplines to deal with my enquiry. It would be fantastic to have one number to deal with several issues at once - just make sure you are available at peak times when people try and ring

Answer 6

I'm not sure what your question is, but I like the sounds of your idea. These people need this kind of real support while trying to piece their lives together. Good on you!

Answer 7

No disrespect, but who is going to pay for your services? If your clients are in debt, and suffering in the way you describe, I doubt they'll have the means.