CAB

[LoisLane23]

Has anyone had a recent experience of citizen's advice? And knows how long or how hard it is to make
An appointment? A family member lost their job suddenly, they are in real poverty and trying endlessly to secure work, but the market is hopeless (they have managed to get minimum hours call centre work but their actual trade is much more senior) They have received some universal credit support and no backpay for time they have been out of work but it's absolutely tiny, doesn't cover even half of their rent and they are regularly without food. We are all helping as much as we can but at month 5 it's becoming difficult. After 30 years of not having a day of ever using social support it doesnt feel right. But its not a system I know about. Any advice on CAB or routes of support and advice welcome.

https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en

Look at this website. It has a tool for finding free debt and benefits advice charities in your area.

As regards Universal Credit Help to Claim would be a good start but their funding means they can only help until the first correct payment

Local offices will vary. CA is a federation of local charities and what's available in any area will depend on funding, availability of advisers - most of them are volunteers - and space for interviews.

@LoisLane23 has your family member tried to contact their local office?

Depends heavily on the local branch, they are all independent of each other and even the national service so it varies. Ours is well funded by the LA and has phone line and drop ins over the borough. Also check what support the local authority is offering- the household support fund was renewed recently for a further 6 months and many LAs are using it to expand advice services and offer hardship funding. They may also have an unemployment support service for local residents.

Thats so helpful thank you everyone

There are long waits in my area for CAB appointments.
Your relative could look at discretionary housing payments if their UC rent element is not covering their rent in full.
CAB can also issue food vouchers for food banks.
If your relative is over 50 then maybe try somewhere like AGE UK which often have lesser wait times than CAB.
Ultimately though if getting UC & council tax support and the award is correct then there may not be anything else available apart form things like food vouchers and Household support fund for food and fuel vouchers.