Citizens Advice helps Falkirk residents claim nearly £6million in benefits

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Three Citizens' Advice Bureaus in Falkirk district helped residents claim nearly £6million of benefits. Members of Falkirk Council 's Scrutiny Committee heard that the bureaus in Falkirk, Grangemouth and Denny get £309,664 of funding from Falkirk Council, which is 41 per cent of their total income.

The advice service - which has 24 paid staff and 40 to 45 active volunteers across the three bureaus - achieved £17.42 in benefit gains for every £1 of funding provided. Read more: Falkirk canalside bistro 'not making a penny' can be changed into holiday homes While Falkirk Council has its own debt and welfare advice service, members heard that demand for advice and support is very high, due to an increasingly complex benefits system and rising poverty.Councillors heard that one couple turned to the service after being refused their claims for Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods.They were turned down on the basis that they did not receive a qualifying benefit.Although the couple did receive Universal Credit, their last payment had been zero due to some deductions and the rest being paid directly to the landlord for rent.The bureau helped the family dispute this decision which allowed them to get the benefits they were entitled to, for which they were "incredibly grateful".Another woman who came to CAB for help filling out an Adult Disability Payment form was asked if there was anything else they could help with.Breaking down, she revealed that she had lost her job through ill health and as a result was now in debt, using her credit card to pay for essentials.After discussing her options and the best way forward for her, CAB helped her file for bankruptcy, which wrote off £12,000 of debt.The report