When Clive was told he was not entitled to any benefit, he had no idea how he was going to live.

"The adviser helped me fill in an appeal form and attended the appeal on my behalf. My agoraphobia meant I couldn’t go myself. The reassurance she gave me throughout was invaluable. She was like the stabilisers on my bike."

Kate contacted her local CAB after hearing a debt phone-in on local radio.

"I was desperate and had contemplated taking my own life. My debt problem was the first and last thing I would think of. I had no hope for the future. Things are better for me now, I have secured full-time employment and the CAB has negotiated an acceptable repayment schedule that I am confident I can maintain."

Sam got in touch with his CAB after shivering with cold for three months.

"I eventually contacted the CAB after three cold winter months without any heating or cooking facilities. My meter wouldn’t accept my new key card and when I contacted the gas board they did nothing. I’m no youngster. Without the CAB, I wouldn’t have known where to go for help"

When Veejay was turned down for promotion again, having watched several less able colleagues achieve it, he decided it was time to seek advice.

"The anxiety of the debts and the stress was bringing on my angina. I felt like I was drowning. It was only when we saw the judge in court that I realised how much the CAB had done on my behalf."

Michelle defeated the Government in a nine year battle over underpaid maternity pay which took her the European Court of Justice. Her journey began with a visit to her local CAB.

"I advise anyone in a similar position to go to the CAB. You just never know. I felt wronged, spoke to someone and look what happened"

Bill's GP referred him to a CAB adviser based at his health centre, who helped him get the benefits he was due.

"The extra money has made a hell of a difference to us. I'm only glad the adviser was at the surgery the day I went in."

Haleema was granted exceptional leave to remain in the UK following torture and imprisonment in her home country. An Arabic speaking CAB adviser helped her secure suitable housing and a crisis loan.

Her adviser said:

" Because I spoke Arabic and I'm from her country, Haleema felt more secure speaking to me. Without our help, it's likely that she would have suffered from ignorance of the system."