Third sector organisation is never more needed
Data from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has revealed the impact CABs have for families at risk of poverty.
In the past year the network has helped 7,264 families in these priority groups unlock £23.7 million in financial gains.
In 242 cases, CABs helped those families write off over £2.8 million worth of debt. On average families who saw a financial gain and debt write off were over £11,000 better off.
CAS is releasing the figures ahead of First Minister Humza Yousaf’s anti-poverty summit today (Wednesday). It also follows data showing March 2023 was a record breaking month for advice demand.
Two examples of how CABs have unlocked money for at risk families include a single mother of four children, aged 10, 7, 3 and 1 in Lanarkshire. She had recently separated from her husband and been made unemployed. The CAB conducted a benefit check and found that the client may be eligible for a range of payments such as Universal Credit and full Council Tax Reduction.
The adviser also recommended applying for the Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Grant for her youngest child, as well as the school clothing grant. The client's potential financial gain is £13,816.98.
Also in Lanarkshire, a recently widowed father of three children, who is registered blind, received £28,031.12 in gains following advice from his local CAB.
Commenting ahead of the summit, Citizens Advice Scotland chief executive Derek Mitchell said: “It is welcome that the First Minister has made the eradication of poverty the central mission of his government. It is unacceptable in 2023 that parents are having to choose between heating their homes and feeding their children.
“CABs can play a key role in helping deliver a Scotland free from poverty. The results advisers get for communities across the country are simply staggering. We see cases where struggling families are thousands of pounds better off after seeking advice. That is life changing money.
“Even during this cost of living crisis, it can be difficult for people to admit to themselves that they are struggling to keep their heads above water. CAB advisers get that.
"They don’t judge, they just help. Our advice is free, impartial and confidential and it is for everyone, whether they are in work or not. The sooner people worried about money seek advice, the better their potential outcomes are.”
💕✔- CAB- is an exceptional national 'information and support' service, founded in 1939, for individuals and families 'in need' who may be affected by poverty, or 'at risk' or potentially 'struggling' and may be requiring a little 'extra support' to navigate systems and access a 'peace of mind'. Its services are 'free', from a range of professionals as well as a specialised team of Volunteers and include: Benefits, Debt & Money; Work; Housing; Family; Consumer; Health; Law & Courts; & Immigration. Their advice is free, impartial and confidential. It is for everyone whether they are in work or not. Sue, and Russel, in the Penicuik office, most kindly agreed to Health in Mind art psychotherapy service, using one of CAB's consulting rooms, a quiet, excellently equipped upstairs private backroom to access art therapy support to two priority referrals in the local area.
I can fully endorse "They don’t judge, they just help"
The space they offered Health in Mind to access art psychotherapy locally, was ideal, couldn't have been better. Thank you.
Client venue feedback: 'it was a bit hot!' There was a perfectly working cooling fan in room- the art psychotherapist maybe needed to set it in motion! Communication noted. Thanks again. 💕❤✔