How We Can Help
Every year, this Bureau answers thousands of queries, covering every aspect of life. From dealing with multiple debt to what to do about wasps' nests, we are here to provide information, advice and help in negotiating with others.All our advice is free, confidential, impartial and independent.You will never be charged for CAB advice; we will not discuss your circumstances with anyone outside the CAB unless you say we can; we do not 'take sides' in disputes (although we do act for the interests of the people who come to us); and we are not part of local or central government.
Once we have details of your query, we use our comprehensive information system to provide you with all the options available. We can also help you weigh up the pros and cons of taking any particular course of action. It is then up to you to decide which option is best for you, including whether you want to do things yourself, or you want us to act for you.
There is no limit to the number of times you can use our service, whether on the same issue, or a number of different ones. You do not have to leave your name and address, if you prefer to remain anonymous. However, if you do leave your details, the adviser will write notes about what has been said both by you and by us, as well as the information source on which we based our advice. This can help you if you need to check the information we gave you, and you won't have to repeat the whole story again if you find you need further advice from us. Our advice notes are confidential to us and to you. We would never let anyone else see them without your permission, but you have the right to see them at any point.
When you contact us we ask specifically for your permission to record your case. This is a requirement under the Data Protection Act. Some case notes may be audited by Citizens Advice or by the Legal Services Commission on a random basis, to ensure quality of advice, but auditors are subject to the same rules on confidentiality as the Bureau advisers.
Our service is for anyone who needs it. We advise traders, landlords, and employers, not just consumers, tenants, and employees. We cannot, however act for both people in a dispute with each other, for example a landlord and a tenant, because we could not act in the best interests of both. If we found we were already advising someone on the same issue with whom you were in dispute, we would tell you about alternative sources of advice and information.
The main areas of enquiry at our Bureau are:
Benefits - advice on what you can claim, help with form filling, what to do if you are refused a benefit, problems with the DWP or Council dealing with your benefits, and advice on dealing with overpayments and fraud. We can also help if you need advice on what might happen to your benefits if your circumstances change, for example if you get a job or move in with a partner.
Consumer - advice on problems with goods and services, package holidays, insurance problems, and problems with credit, including difficulty in obtaining credit.
Debt - all our advisers are trained to deal with basic debt problems. We also have a specialist dealing with multiple debts. We can advise on liability for debts, look at ways of increasing your income, help you come up with a financial statement for your creditors, and help you negotiate payment arrangements you can afford. If things have been left for some time, you may feel overwhelmed and unable to cope. We can often help you negotiate some time to come up with a payment arrangement, for example if the bailiffs have visited. It is rarely too late to get advice, but the sooner you ask for help, the better. Many people are embarrassed about debts. We don't make judgements about people or their situations - we are simply here to help in any way we can, but we can't give you accurate advice without knowing about the whole situation. If you prefer to deal with the situation yourself, we can provide all the information you need and guide you through the steps you need to take.
Employment - whether you are an employer or employee, we can advise on problems at work, including dismissal, redundancy, wages, working hours, holiday entitlement. We can also advise on discrimination, sickness absence, and self-employment. We have three specialist advisers who can, in some cases, help with Employment Tribunals.
Housing - owners, tenants, and landlords all face problems from time to time. We can advise on problems with rent or mortgage payments, finding accommodation, problems with agents, eviction, homelessness, furniture, harassment, poor living conditions and neighbour problems.
Legal - advice on legal proceedings, Legal Aid, court fines, compensation for accidents and injuries, and other legal disputes. We also have details of solicitors in the area, including whether they offer a free initial interview, and the areas of law in which they specialise.
Relationships - we can advise you on issues brought about by relationship breakdown, change of name, children, maintenance, and bereavement. We are not Counsellors, but we may be able to refer you to counselling advice if you need it.
Taxes - Advice on problems with Council Tax, Business Rates, and Income Tax but we cannot fill in tax returns.
Other issues - we provide advice and information on health, community care, education, immigration and nationality. We can also provide local information, for example on local self-help or support groups, contact details for local agencies, or details of Citizens Advice Bureaux in other areas. For details of how to contact the Bureau, see the Contact Us page. Alternatively, basic information about all of these topics is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/
Our main Bureau is at Colonial House in Leiston. We open there every week day except Wednesday (we open at Saxmundham then). We also have outreach services at Framlingham, Wickham Market and Woodbridge, plus a dedicated telephone line at Rendlesham.
Accessibility Physical Access at Leiston:
Physically accessible premises: with all rooms on the ground floor, with ramped access to the office.
Toilet: Disabled access.
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