Citizens Advice helped with more than two million benefit and tax credit problems in 2013

A new project launched today by Citizens Advice will conduct an extensive review of the work being carried out by local authorities and housing associations in helping residents to cope with the impact of welfare reforms.

New figures show Citizens Advice Bureaux helped with nearly two million benefit and tax credit problems in 2013. Researchers at the charity will begin a year-long project which invites housing associations, members of the public and councils to nominate the best examples of managing the changes created by welfare reforms.

In the context of major reform and deep cuts to council budgets, Citizens Advice wants to identify the most innovative and cost-effective local solutions on welfare which control longer-term demand for services.

An Advisory Group will source positive examples and take forward recommendations about how councils have managed changes to Housing Benefit, local social welfare and Universal Credit.

Gillian Guy, Citizens Advice Chief Executive, said:

“Local authorities and housing associations are in the eye of the storm helping people cope with Whitehall’s vast reforms. The upheaval caused by changes to the welfare state in recent years cannot be managed safely without strong support from councils and the Citizens Advice army of volunteers.

“The impact of welfare reforms is yet to be fully understood and there is still a huge opportunity to make sure people are able to manage. Combining the efforts and expertise of councils and Citizens Advice will help ensure we look at the true impact of welfare reforms on people’s lives.”

“It’s vital that the good work of councils across the country is learned from. Our clients are councillors’ residents and we need to learn from each other how best to help people cope with the current unprecedented challenges. In the past year alone we have helped with more than two million problems to do with benefits and tax credits. Understanding better how councils are helping people to weather the storm will make the support we give to clients even stronger.”

The nominations process for the Citizens Advice ‘Making Welfare Work Locally’ project is open from today. Nominations can be made through the dedicated Citizens Advice website at http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/welfareproject

An Advisory Group comprising Citizens Advice staff, Citizens Advice Cymru and experts from across the housing and local government sectors will examine nominations and showcase those providing the best service.

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Notes to editors:

1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk
4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.