Post by Patrick Torsney on Jan 20, 2011 14:13:23 GMT 1
63 lives. One chance to change them.
A snapshot of an ordinary day at Bolton Citizens Advice Bureau. This piece can also be downloaded - see link at end
[edit 26.01.11: link has now been updated]
Below is the list of enquiries made by all the new clients who walked off the street and in through the door of Bolton CAB on January the 11th, 2011. The Social Welfare Law Drop-In (SWDI) was open that day from 9:30 am -3.30 pm.
Everyone below received advice from a specialist in the relevant area(s) of law.
Another 31 people came into the bureau that day. They have not been included here. Some needed signposting elsewhere, whilst the majority were attending follow-up appointments with specialist advisers and solicitors. This was an average day. It is not unusual for Bolton CAB’s open door drop-in to deal with a much greater number of enquiries than this.
This list does not include the numerous contacts from other clients, in person or by telephone, in respect of ongoing cases that the Bureau is progressing under legal aid or other funding. Nor does this list include the details of any home visits, telephone advice lines, outreach work or other advice surgeries that Bolton CAB provides.
We don’t expect you to read every single entry but we hope, that by at least browsing some, it will give you an idea of the kinds of problems people face today and the work we believe we should protect.
The final, and most significant point that needs to be made is that if the current proposals to reform legal aid (especially the removal of whole categories of law, such as Welfare Benefits and Employment from public funding) were implemented and, if Bolton CAB’s Financial Inclusion Fund income is withdrawn, it estimates that it would only have been able to deal with about 5 or 6 of the 63 people who walked through the front door on January the 11th, 2011.
1) 60-year old had a letter from Department for Work & Pensions questioning his entitlement to claim Disability Living Allowance. He needs help protecting entitlement.
2) Family with 2 children under the age of 4. They’ve not received any benefits for several weeks, and have no money to live on. They are also being chased by high street banks for taking out credit to try keep on top of the bills. They haven’t been able to feed themselves properly for some time.
3) Water company threatening lone parent of 3 young children with court action. The family are struggling to make ends meet on one low wage.
4) 24-year old father with 2 young children has been refused paternity leave by employer after his partner suffered a stillbirth. He has no one to look after his children, as partner is currently unable to do so due to pregnancy related health problems. Employer says will sack him if he tries to take any time off. The Department for Work & Pensions has also incorrectly dealt with his families claim for in-work benefits.
5) 25-year old woman being unlawfully pursued for £11k. Is worried about her inability to get mortgage in future when wants to start family.
6) Father, low paid, with family of 4 school-aged children has started having deductions of £500 pcm taken from his wages by the Child Support Agency. He does not understand why they are taking so much money from his wages and cannot afford to feed his other children. He is unable to pay his bills and is getting deeper into debt.
7) 32 yr old woman currently training to become a teacher is in danger of not being able to finish her university course due to substantial debts.
8) 20 yr old expectant mother (21 weeks pregnant) and her partner are struggling to pay their rent, bills and food from his wage of £500 per month. They are very concerned about the baby’s health. Is there anything else they can claim or do?
9) Disabled mother of 6 children needs advice and assistance in relation to what benefits can be claimed.
10) 25-year old lone parent of a young baby has no income whatsoever and is relying on handouts from friends who cannot support her any longer. She is suffering from depression and does not know what to do.
11) 30-year old man is currently living and working in the UK. He is engaged to a British woman but is facing deportation. He wants to know if he has any rights.
12) 53-year old disabled man and father of 3 has had his Income Support revoked and wants to see if a challenge is appropriate (youngest aged 3).
13) 30-year old man whose employer unreasonably refused to pay his holiday pay. Has now left him in problems with debts.
14) 39-year old working woman wants to bring her sick auntie to UK so she can look after her wants to know how to go about this and whether or not she will be able to continue to work if she does.
15) Recently widowed 53-year old disabled woman being pursued by Department for Work & Pensions for a £6k overpayment. She has other debts and is being threatened with eviction.
16) Lone parent with two small children under the age of 2 has problems proving her identity and her right to work and has found that no one will employ her because of this.
17) Lone parent with 3 young children is being paid a total of £47.50 per week in benefits. Has been struggling to survive on this amount. Her home now under threat as a result.
18) Young married couple accidentally filled wrong visa forms out for Dutch national to stay in the country. They are now facing separation by UK authorities.
19) 44-year old mother of 2 young children is being pursued for debts that have had excessive fees added. The debts occurred as a result of her failed business.
20) 52-year old lone parent of 1 child has received a Home Office letter stating that she has to leave the country; she is unable to speak or read English.
21) Lone Father with child aged 2 is working, but for low pay. He has been topping up his earnings by taking out loans. He has been struggling to pay these back and is now facing bankruptcy.
22) A 34-year old care assistant who considered trying a course to improve her job prospects has now had court papers served for course fees even though never formally applied or started.
23) Young male job seeker has been ordered by the Department of Work and Pensions that he is only allowed 24 hours off his job seeking in order to go to his Brothers funeral. His brother died abroad. If he attends his brother’s funeral, his Job Seekers Allowance and Housing Benefit & Council Tax benefits will cease. He is already in court on Monday for rent arrears, is worried that by going to funeral he will lose his home.
24) Woman, having lost £100k in a failed business, has had her claim for Housing Benefits refused and home is at risk.
25) Mother of 3, recently separated and trying to set up a new home, put in a claim for benefits in November and has still not had her claim processed. She is struggling to support her children and doesn’t know who to turn to for help.
26) British citizen returning from Denmark having various problems, including with housing and benefits as she seeks to re establish herself in the UK.
27) Mother with 5 children under the age of 10. Recently separated from her abusive partner. Has a number of debts and is being harassed by creditors. One firm of bailiffs are using illegal and particularly aggressive tactics.
28) Young man who got involved with ‘loan sharks’ when was made to leave home aged 17. Has now reconciled with parents and moved back home. Is now facing excessive and unlawful charges for loans taken out which he is trying to pay.
29) Male lone parent with 18-month child has received no benefits in relation to the child. Told by Department for Work & Pensions that he has to wait another 4 weeks for any benefit because the child’s absent mother hasn’t responded to correspondence. Is struggling to feed and clothe his child.
30) 38-year old woman with 4-months old baby is being pursued (apparently unlawfully) by the Housing Benefit Department for an alleged overpayment dating back to 2003.
31) Young married couple with 2 pre-school aged children denied benefits for the children that they are legally entitled to. The couple, who both work in low paid jobs, are struggling to buy food for the household.
32) Disabled woman, recently widowed, having problems sorting out benefits for her and her 3 children.
33) Woman received letter from the Department for Work & Pensions notifying her that her benefit entitlement will be cut by almost a third (£20 per week) due to alleged overpayment from over 10 years ago. Needs help challenging this as she was not in receipt of any benefits at the time and was not even in the country at the time the overpayment had occurred.
34) 53-year old father with one child (age 11) has had his disability benefits revoked and needs to appeal against the decision.
35) Working mother of three young children needs help as she is being taken to court by the Department for Work & Pensions, who are seeking to recover Carers Allowance that she received for looking after her disabled child.
36) 56-year old man unable to work. Has been told by Department for Work & Pensions that he is now fit for work.
37) 47-year old man has arthritis in all joints that is getting worse and is now extremely painful. Under care of hospital. Is being cared for by his wife. Has received a letter saying his disability benefits are to be taken away.
38) 20-year old single mum of a pre-school age child. Has recently separated from her partner. Needs advice on benefits she’s entitled to in order top-up her low wage so that she can provide properly for her child.
39) 40-year old married woman bullied out of her job and now unable to work due to sickness. Husband is disabled. Needs help with challenging the employer and advice in relation to maintaining rented property and benefit entitlement.
40) 44-year old mother of 4 children, the youngest of who is 8-years old, has had all benefits revoked for reasons the client can’t understand. Is unable to work and is worried about how to feed her children. Needs help challenging the decision of the Department of Work & Pensions.
41) 48-year old diabetes and asthma sufferer has had to cease working because he passes out 2-3 times a day. He is a father of 3 young children. Is having problems with benefits as Department of Work and Pensions are not paying him the correct money. This is also having a negative impact on his health.
42) 23-year old woman is being admitted into hospital for heart surgery. She is having problems understanding what benefits she will be able to claim, as she will be unable to work for some time after her operation.
43) Disabled client aged 19 has had his fitness for work called into question by the Department of Work & Pensions. His benefit entitlement has stopped and as a result faces eviction from his home.
44) 52-year old father with one child (aged 11) is having problems with his disability and carers benefits.
45) Client is a married mother with two small children (aged 2 and 1). Has had her asylum claim refused and has no money to live off whatsoever. No food and nowhere for her or her children to sleep.
46) 26-year old man is working, but only earning £25 per week. Lives with elderly parents. Household is on the verge of serious debt. He wants to know if it is it legal to only pay him this much and how can he manage his debts.
47) A 32-year old EEA family permit holder is under threat of being expelled from the UK but believes he has rights to reside in the country.
48) 42-year old mother has substantial debts and is being harassed by creditors who are using aggressive tactics to pursue her.
49) 30-year old man wants to look at the possibility of a Judicial Review of the UK Border Agency decision to refuse his stay in the UK.
50) 64-year old man, recently widowed is being pursued by creditors and is struggling to meet basic living costs. This is making him depressed. Is there anything that anyone can do to help.
51) A 43-year old woman has been short changed by her employer over her holiday and sick pay. She wants to know what if she has any rights and how she can get this money back.
52) A 37-year old woman on low pay has a dispute over unpaid holiday pay and has been refused a written contract by employer.
53) 52-year old mother with two children (age 14 and 5) has a problem with daughter’s immigration status, which could lead to the family being split.
54) 59-year old woman is being made redundant at work and feels it’s unfair. Is also confused about the relationship between occupational pensions and benefits. Needs help on her rights.
55) 42-year old man appears to have been unlawfully refused arrears of benefit he was entitled to.
56) 90-year old woman needs help with the complexities of the benefit system and advice and assistance in claiming the correct benefits for her and carer.
57) 56-year old disabled woman, recently divorced, has had her Income Support withdrawn for reasons she can’t understand. Doesn’t know if challenging this decision is appropriate.
58) 60-year old disabled man has had his disability benefits withdrawn despite his worsening condition. Seeks help with appeal.
59) 40-year old woman with a council tax court summons. Problem has occurred because of a misunderstanding about her 21-year old daughter’s college course details, which meant that her benefits also stopped as a result – urgent action needed to prevent bailiffs.
60) 45-year old self employed woman whose house is at risk of being repossessed because her business is failing. Doesn’t know what to do.
61) 39-year old father with 2 children (ages 9 and 6). Lost his job just before Christmas. Wife is very ill with intestinal failure, is also being pursued for secure loan that was used to convert the loft to ensure has enough space in the house for the children. Needs Employment advice re dismissal, debts, benefits and risk to house through arrears on secured loan.
62) Bailiffs are pursuing client for alleged monies that are owed. Client can’t afford to pay.
63) 19-year old father with 1 child (6 months) wanting to know about the effects of going back to college on his benefits/housing situation. Wants to improve himself and to try for a better life for his family.
Download this piece as a PDF file here
A snapshot of an ordinary day at Bolton Citizens Advice Bureau. This piece can also be downloaded - see link at end
[edit 26.01.11: link has now been updated]
Below is the list of enquiries made by all the new clients who walked off the street and in through the door of Bolton CAB on January the 11th, 2011. The Social Welfare Law Drop-In (SWDI) was open that day from 9:30 am -3.30 pm.
Everyone below received advice from a specialist in the relevant area(s) of law.
Another 31 people came into the bureau that day. They have not been included here. Some needed signposting elsewhere, whilst the majority were attending follow-up appointments with specialist advisers and solicitors. This was an average day. It is not unusual for Bolton CAB’s open door drop-in to deal with a much greater number of enquiries than this.
This list does not include the numerous contacts from other clients, in person or by telephone, in respect of ongoing cases that the Bureau is progressing under legal aid or other funding. Nor does this list include the details of any home visits, telephone advice lines, outreach work or other advice surgeries that Bolton CAB provides.
We don’t expect you to read every single entry but we hope, that by at least browsing some, it will give you an idea of the kinds of problems people face today and the work we believe we should protect.
The final, and most significant point that needs to be made is that if the current proposals to reform legal aid (especially the removal of whole categories of law, such as Welfare Benefits and Employment from public funding) were implemented and, if Bolton CAB’s Financial Inclusion Fund income is withdrawn, it estimates that it would only have been able to deal with about 5 or 6 of the 63 people who walked through the front door on January the 11th, 2011.
1) 60-year old had a letter from Department for Work & Pensions questioning his entitlement to claim Disability Living Allowance. He needs help protecting entitlement.
2) Family with 2 children under the age of 4. They’ve not received any benefits for several weeks, and have no money to live on. They are also being chased by high street banks for taking out credit to try keep on top of the bills. They haven’t been able to feed themselves properly for some time.
3) Water company threatening lone parent of 3 young children with court action. The family are struggling to make ends meet on one low wage.
4) 24-year old father with 2 young children has been refused paternity leave by employer after his partner suffered a stillbirth. He has no one to look after his children, as partner is currently unable to do so due to pregnancy related health problems. Employer says will sack him if he tries to take any time off. The Department for Work & Pensions has also incorrectly dealt with his families claim for in-work benefits.
5) 25-year old woman being unlawfully pursued for £11k. Is worried about her inability to get mortgage in future when wants to start family.
6) Father, low paid, with family of 4 school-aged children has started having deductions of £500 pcm taken from his wages by the Child Support Agency. He does not understand why they are taking so much money from his wages and cannot afford to feed his other children. He is unable to pay his bills and is getting deeper into debt.
7) 32 yr old woman currently training to become a teacher is in danger of not being able to finish her university course due to substantial debts.
8) 20 yr old expectant mother (21 weeks pregnant) and her partner are struggling to pay their rent, bills and food from his wage of £500 per month. They are very concerned about the baby’s health. Is there anything else they can claim or do?
9) Disabled mother of 6 children needs advice and assistance in relation to what benefits can be claimed.
10) 25-year old lone parent of a young baby has no income whatsoever and is relying on handouts from friends who cannot support her any longer. She is suffering from depression and does not know what to do.
11) 30-year old man is currently living and working in the UK. He is engaged to a British woman but is facing deportation. He wants to know if he has any rights.
12) 53-year old disabled man and father of 3 has had his Income Support revoked and wants to see if a challenge is appropriate (youngest aged 3).
13) 30-year old man whose employer unreasonably refused to pay his holiday pay. Has now left him in problems with debts.
14) 39-year old working woman wants to bring her sick auntie to UK so she can look after her wants to know how to go about this and whether or not she will be able to continue to work if she does.
15) Recently widowed 53-year old disabled woman being pursued by Department for Work & Pensions for a £6k overpayment. She has other debts and is being threatened with eviction.
16) Lone parent with two small children under the age of 2 has problems proving her identity and her right to work and has found that no one will employ her because of this.
17) Lone parent with 3 young children is being paid a total of £47.50 per week in benefits. Has been struggling to survive on this amount. Her home now under threat as a result.
18) Young married couple accidentally filled wrong visa forms out for Dutch national to stay in the country. They are now facing separation by UK authorities.
19) 44-year old mother of 2 young children is being pursued for debts that have had excessive fees added. The debts occurred as a result of her failed business.
20) 52-year old lone parent of 1 child has received a Home Office letter stating that she has to leave the country; she is unable to speak or read English.
21) Lone Father with child aged 2 is working, but for low pay. He has been topping up his earnings by taking out loans. He has been struggling to pay these back and is now facing bankruptcy.
22) A 34-year old care assistant who considered trying a course to improve her job prospects has now had court papers served for course fees even though never formally applied or started.
23) Young male job seeker has been ordered by the Department of Work and Pensions that he is only allowed 24 hours off his job seeking in order to go to his Brothers funeral. His brother died abroad. If he attends his brother’s funeral, his Job Seekers Allowance and Housing Benefit & Council Tax benefits will cease. He is already in court on Monday for rent arrears, is worried that by going to funeral he will lose his home.
24) Woman, having lost £100k in a failed business, has had her claim for Housing Benefits refused and home is at risk.
25) Mother of 3, recently separated and trying to set up a new home, put in a claim for benefits in November and has still not had her claim processed. She is struggling to support her children and doesn’t know who to turn to for help.
26) British citizen returning from Denmark having various problems, including with housing and benefits as she seeks to re establish herself in the UK.
27) Mother with 5 children under the age of 10. Recently separated from her abusive partner. Has a number of debts and is being harassed by creditors. One firm of bailiffs are using illegal and particularly aggressive tactics.
28) Young man who got involved with ‘loan sharks’ when was made to leave home aged 17. Has now reconciled with parents and moved back home. Is now facing excessive and unlawful charges for loans taken out which he is trying to pay.
29) Male lone parent with 18-month child has received no benefits in relation to the child. Told by Department for Work & Pensions that he has to wait another 4 weeks for any benefit because the child’s absent mother hasn’t responded to correspondence. Is struggling to feed and clothe his child.
30) 38-year old woman with 4-months old baby is being pursued (apparently unlawfully) by the Housing Benefit Department for an alleged overpayment dating back to 2003.
31) Young married couple with 2 pre-school aged children denied benefits for the children that they are legally entitled to. The couple, who both work in low paid jobs, are struggling to buy food for the household.
32) Disabled woman, recently widowed, having problems sorting out benefits for her and her 3 children.
33) Woman received letter from the Department for Work & Pensions notifying her that her benefit entitlement will be cut by almost a third (£20 per week) due to alleged overpayment from over 10 years ago. Needs help challenging this as she was not in receipt of any benefits at the time and was not even in the country at the time the overpayment had occurred.
34) 53-year old father with one child (age 11) has had his disability benefits revoked and needs to appeal against the decision.
35) Working mother of three young children needs help as she is being taken to court by the Department for Work & Pensions, who are seeking to recover Carers Allowance that she received for looking after her disabled child.
36) 56-year old man unable to work. Has been told by Department for Work & Pensions that he is now fit for work.
37) 47-year old man has arthritis in all joints that is getting worse and is now extremely painful. Under care of hospital. Is being cared for by his wife. Has received a letter saying his disability benefits are to be taken away.
38) 20-year old single mum of a pre-school age child. Has recently separated from her partner. Needs advice on benefits she’s entitled to in order top-up her low wage so that she can provide properly for her child.
39) 40-year old married woman bullied out of her job and now unable to work due to sickness. Husband is disabled. Needs help with challenging the employer and advice in relation to maintaining rented property and benefit entitlement.
40) 44-year old mother of 4 children, the youngest of who is 8-years old, has had all benefits revoked for reasons the client can’t understand. Is unable to work and is worried about how to feed her children. Needs help challenging the decision of the Department of Work & Pensions.
41) 48-year old diabetes and asthma sufferer has had to cease working because he passes out 2-3 times a day. He is a father of 3 young children. Is having problems with benefits as Department of Work and Pensions are not paying him the correct money. This is also having a negative impact on his health.
42) 23-year old woman is being admitted into hospital for heart surgery. She is having problems understanding what benefits she will be able to claim, as she will be unable to work for some time after her operation.
43) Disabled client aged 19 has had his fitness for work called into question by the Department of Work & Pensions. His benefit entitlement has stopped and as a result faces eviction from his home.
44) 52-year old father with one child (aged 11) is having problems with his disability and carers benefits.
45) Client is a married mother with two small children (aged 2 and 1). Has had her asylum claim refused and has no money to live off whatsoever. No food and nowhere for her or her children to sleep.
46) 26-year old man is working, but only earning £25 per week. Lives with elderly parents. Household is on the verge of serious debt. He wants to know if it is it legal to only pay him this much and how can he manage his debts.
47) A 32-year old EEA family permit holder is under threat of being expelled from the UK but believes he has rights to reside in the country.
48) 42-year old mother has substantial debts and is being harassed by creditors who are using aggressive tactics to pursue her.
49) 30-year old man wants to look at the possibility of a Judicial Review of the UK Border Agency decision to refuse his stay in the UK.
50) 64-year old man, recently widowed is being pursued by creditors and is struggling to meet basic living costs. This is making him depressed. Is there anything that anyone can do to help.
51) A 43-year old woman has been short changed by her employer over her holiday and sick pay. She wants to know what if she has any rights and how she can get this money back.
52) A 37-year old woman on low pay has a dispute over unpaid holiday pay and has been refused a written contract by employer.
53) 52-year old mother with two children (age 14 and 5) has a problem with daughter’s immigration status, which could lead to the family being split.
54) 59-year old woman is being made redundant at work and feels it’s unfair. Is also confused about the relationship between occupational pensions and benefits. Needs help on her rights.
55) 42-year old man appears to have been unlawfully refused arrears of benefit he was entitled to.
56) 90-year old woman needs help with the complexities of the benefit system and advice and assistance in claiming the correct benefits for her and carer.
57) 56-year old disabled woman, recently divorced, has had her Income Support withdrawn for reasons she can’t understand. Doesn’t know if challenging this decision is appropriate.
58) 60-year old disabled man has had his disability benefits withdrawn despite his worsening condition. Seeks help with appeal.
59) 40-year old woman with a council tax court summons. Problem has occurred because of a misunderstanding about her 21-year old daughter’s college course details, which meant that her benefits also stopped as a result – urgent action needed to prevent bailiffs.
60) 45-year old self employed woman whose house is at risk of being repossessed because her business is failing. Doesn’t know what to do.
61) 39-year old father with 2 children (ages 9 and 6). Lost his job just before Christmas. Wife is very ill with intestinal failure, is also being pursued for secure loan that was used to convert the loft to ensure has enough space in the house for the children. Needs Employment advice re dismissal, debts, benefits and risk to house through arrears on secured loan.
62) Bailiffs are pursuing client for alleged monies that are owed. Client can’t afford to pay.
63) 19-year old father with 1 child (6 months) wanting to know about the effects of going back to college on his benefits/housing situation. Wants to improve himself and to try for a better life for his family.
Download this piece as a PDF file here