Areas of Advice

Welfare Benefits

From September 2008, we can give advice on benefits. If you are wondering what sort of questions you can ask us about, then the list below should help you.

• What benefits can I get?" Find out!
• "Am I being paid the right amounts of benefit?" Find out if you can get paid more.
• "My benefits have been overpaid." Find out if you can dispute this.
• "My benefits have been stopped!"" Find out why.
• "I don't agree with my benefit decision." Get advice on how to appeal to a tribunal.
• "I want to get DLA." Get advice on how to complete your DLA application.
• "I don't understand what the DWP said." Get a letter translated into BSL.
• "I want to start work. Will my benefits be affected?" Compare your income.

Employment

From November 2008, we can give advice on employment. If you are wondering what sort of questions you can ask us about, then the list below should help you.

• "I have been dismissed, what should I do?" Ask us!
• "Why am I earning less in my wages then before?" Find out why from us.
• "I think someone is discriminating me. Is there anything I can do?" Get advice about discrimination at work.
• "I am not happy with my employer. Can I complain?" Ask one of us how to raise a grievance.
• "I have been made redundant. What can I do?" Get advice about redundancy.
• "My workplace is not safe. Do I have rights?" Find out!
• "I do not have a contract of employment. Can I get one?" Give us a call to get advice.

Housing

From January 2008, we can give advice on housing. If you are wondering what sort of questions you can ask us about, then the list below should help you.

• "What type of tenancy do I live in?" Find out!
• "Is it right that my landlord can evict me with only two months notice?" Find out what steps the landlord should take to lawfully evict you.
• "My central heating has stopped working." Find out what you can do to get your heating working again.
• "My homeless application has been refused!" Find out why and what you can do.
• "My housing allocation team has placed me in band 3 or C on the register. I do not agree with this." Get advice on how to review your place.
• "My neighbour's lights are too bright." Get advice on how to resolve neighbour dispute.
• "I received a letter from the housing team. I do not understand." Get a letter translated into BSL.
• "My house is being possessed. How can I stop this?" Get help for your court proceedings.

Debt

From March 2008, we can give advice on employment. If you are wondering what sort of questions you can ask us about, then the list below should help you.

• "What would happen if I cannot pay my debts?" Get advice about this.
• "When will a bailiff call? Do I have to let the bailiff in?" Know your rights.
• "What happens if I receive court papers?" Find out what happens with court proceedings.
• "What is Bankruptcy?" Get an explanation of what this means.
• "What is an IVA?" Get advice about this.
• "What can I do if I cannot pay my mortgage/rent?" Find out your options!
• "I have received a penalty charge, what can I do and can I appeal?" Ask us what to do.
• "I have not paid my council tax and now I have received a 'liability order'. What is this and what happens now?" Get advice!
• "I have not paid my gas/electricity/water - will I be disconnected?" We can advise you.