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CAB ready for benefit enquiry ‘flood’
Latest news from the Lancashire Evening Post
Citizens Advice staff and volunteers in Lancashire are reading themselves for a flood of enquiries when the Government’s welfare and benefits reforms start next month.
Workers have undergone extra training on the changes and they are preparing to handle an expected upturn in calls from concerned recipients about how they may be affected.
The biggest benefit change, Universal Credit, will not actually take effect in Lancashire until October, but with extensive media coverage expected, some recipients may still worry. Similarly, Personal Independence Payment, which replaces Disability Living Allowance, will kick in for new claims in April but may not affect others until later.
Among other changes, responsibility for what is now the Council Tax Benefit will be passed to the Local Authorities individually and each may operate this differently. Also, Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans that are affected by changes in Social Fund will be handed over from the DWP to Lancashire County Council.
Diane Gradwell, district manager for Lancashire West CAB, said: “The Government and local authorities are doing all they can to inform people about the changes but many may still be unsure and turn to the CAB for advice.
Anyone living in the Chorley, West Lancashire, South Ribble or Wyre Districts can talk in confidence to a trained CAB assessor via one central phone number, 01772 424282 or call in at a centre.
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Weather for Preston
Sunday 19 May 2013
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