At the plush offices of London bankers Allan & Overy there was an event to celebrate the CAB ‘Moneyplan’ scheme and announce the next phase of the project.

‘Moneyplan’ is a project to provide free financial advice- not just on debt – but on issues such as investments, pensions, mortgages etc to people on low or middle incomes. The advice is provided by voluntary professional financial advisers who proved generic help – i.e. advice not related to specific financial products.

The scheme is the product of a significant relationship between Citizens Advice and the Personal Finance Society to ensure that the service is professional, independent and impartial and can be trusted by all members of the community.

Worthing is one of the 29 Bureaux participating in the scheme which has been running as a pilot for the last year. Three local Independent Financial Advisers give their time to advise on alternate Tuesday afternoons. The are Karen McGrath and Helen Craft of Juniper Pensions and Investments and Alec McHale of Sunrise Financial Services.

One example of the work of the service involves a client who visited a bureau seeking advice on pensions and investments. The client’s wife had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer two years ago and recently her condition had deteriorated severely. As such, the client was giving up work to look after her full time. The client has three sons, two of whom are at university and the third is five years old. The client’s wife had made an appointment with a solicitor to make a will and this had prompted him to seek advice about their existing pensions and the severance pay he would be receiving from his employer.

The IFA visited the family home and reviewed their existing personal pension plans and the severance pay scheme operated by the client’s employer. After the appointment the IFA followed up everything discussed in a letter to the client and also contacted all the companies with whom he had pensions.

At a time of great distress for the client, the IFA helped to reduce the anxiety around his financial affairs, enabling him to concentrate on caring for his wife.

In the next year it is hoped to significantly increase the numbers of Bureaux offering this service and also increase the numbers of IFAs taking part.

David Chapman, Bureau Manager said ‘We are delighted to see the work of these highly professional volunteers acknowledged and rewarded. This has proved to be an absolutely essential service that will grow in demand to meet the increasing the complexity of life and financial products. The financial affairs of even the poorest tend to be infinitely more complex compared to that of a few years ago.’

Picture: Left to Right: David Harker (Chief Executive of National Citizens Advice) Karen McGrath (Independent Financial Adviser – Juniper Pensions and Investments and David Chapman (Bureau Manager)

At the event a presentation was made to the departing Chair of FOWCAB, John Sayles. John has served on the Friends committee as Chair for four years and was instrumental in the founding of the Bureau support group. Over the years he has organised and supported a wide range of events including garden parties, quiz shows, concerts, skittles evenings as well as making it possible for the Bureau to have a presence at many Worthing events and festivals. His work has made FOWCAB into a reality and served to raise awareness of the Bureau. He has given the group momentum and he leaves it with a strong and active committee. John will continue to support Bureau events and will also be concentrating his energies on his work for the Worthing Lions.

Lady Bottomley said, "There has never been a greater need for the CAB at this time. The Credit Crunch is but one of a range of serious issues that leave people desperate and distressed and the CAB is the only place they can go. It is sad that the Bureau is left so short of resources and facing such difficult challenges to survive."

"It is the selfless giving of time, energy and expertise by volunteers such as John which is the life blood of the Bureau and we are honoured to have the opportunity to celebrate such giving."

Official estimates suggest that up to four in ten pensioners entitled to pension credit – money paid to top up the basic state retirement pension of £87.30 a week – are not getting the extra cash they are due. As much as £2.5 billion went unclaimed in the financial year 2005/06, the most recent year for which figures are available.

Many simply assume they do not qualify, or are daunted by the prospect of making a claim. But in many cases they could increase their income to £119.05 a week for a single person or £181.70 a week for a couple.

If they claim now, some could also get a substantial lump sum, as payment can currently be backdated for up to a year. But this will change from October if Government plans to cut the backdating period to only three months go ahead.

The same new backdating time limit will be applied to council tax benefit, which many pensioners are also missing out on – particularly those who are homeowners. Pensioners who get council tax benefit can find their council tax bills substantially reduced or even paid in full, yet official estimates show barely half of those eligible actually claim the money they are due.

Bureau Manager, David Chapman said "With higher council tax bills dropping through many peoples letter boxes on top of huge hikes in the price of gas, electricity and other household bills, many pensioners are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. Yet billions of pounds that should be helping them is going unclaimed every year.

Too many pensioners are missing out on money that is rightfully theirs. We would urge any pensioner worried about money to contact us for a free, confidential benefits check without delay. We can also help with making claims and sorting out any problems to do with pensions, benefits and debts."

Worthing CAB operates a hotline for Benefits for the Over 60’s on 01903 532234 on Mondays. More information about pensions and benefits for older people can be found on the Citizens Advice website: adviceguide.org or the Pension Service website: thepensionservice.gov.uk

The new service will try to filter out all those who need minimal help, who need to be redirected to a more appropriate source and make appointments for the more serious issues that require more in depth attention. It is expected to reduce waiting times and improve telephone response.

The new system depends on the introduction of new technology, for example the installation of information kiosks, new telephone systems, new office software. Along with this, a long overdue reorganisation and refurbishment of the Duty Room is planned to ensure the new system works,

The whole package will require £15,000 to put it in place, of which £3,000 has already been raised by the Friends of Worthing CAB through various events. It is planned to launch this new service in September 2008.

Worthing REAC (Radio Emergency Activated Communications) has given this fund raising effort a boost with the donation of a further £1,000 towards this project. REAC has a long history of raising money for local charities by providing safety and security event management services. With its origins in the days of CB radio, REAC has been active for over 25 years in the Worthing area and all members are volunteers.

Chris Gregory, Team Captain of REAC said: ‘It is because some of our members have reason to be personally grateful for the service given by the CAB that it was recommended as one of the charities to benefit from our funds. We are pleased to support such a worthwhile organisation and help it fulfil its aims.’

Bureau Manager, David Chapman said ‘Whatever we may call it, Credit Crunch or recession, there is no doubt that it is biting hard on peoples incomes and causing much hardship and distress. There has never before been a greater need for Bureau services and we are grateful for support such as this REAC donation.’

Both organisations need more volunteers. If interested contact the CAB on 01903 532662 and REAC on 01903 268614

Worthing Citizens Advice Bureau is warning homeowners under pressure to resist the lure of companies offering to buy houses and flats quickly for cash and then let you stay as a tenant.

Typically these companies advertise on television, in local papers or leaflet door-to-door, targeting people with overwhelming debts or threatened with repossession and offering what looks like an instant solution to their problems.

But some who have snapped up such offers have lived to regret it, later, when they have found themselves homeless despite the promises of security that attracted them to the deal in the first place as illustrated on a recent BBC ‘Watchdog’ programme where some people who had opted for these arrangements, ultimately lost their homes.

.Worthing CAB manager David Chapman said, "This is a growing problem and a completely unregulated sector which we think the government needs to closely examine and regulate.

‘We are seeing more and more cases of people who are in mortgage arrears and facing the threat of repossession being approached by companies that offer to buy their home quickly at a discount and then rent the house back on an assured short-hold tenancy. This arrangement removes their long term security to hold on to their homes.

‘Many people are tempted by such offers because they want to stay in their home at all costs, and this looks like the only way of doing it. But we would urge people to think very carefully before going down this route and make sure they have explored all the other options for dealing with their mortgage debt and staying in their home.

‘If they go ahead with sale and rent back, usually they will be required to sell their home at much less than its market value and they will have very little security of tenure as a tenant, so there is not even the guarantee that they will be able to remain in their home in the longer term. They also risk falling foul of benefit rules that may make it difficult to claim means-tested benefits, including housing benefit, in these circumstances.

We would strongly urge anyone with mortgage arrears that are building up to seek free, independent debt advice from the CAB as quickly as possible and before taking any extreme steps such as selling their homes.’

15 October  2007

Mayor Visits CAB

The Worthing Citizens Advice Bureau has been a feature of life in the town since it was founded in 1930 at the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 – 68 years ago.

The Mayor of Worthing, Councillor Dr Heather Mercer, accompanied by her husband, Keith, visited the Bureau on Wednesday 3rd October to see how the Bureau was changing and responding to the challenges of the modern age. Now all information systems and client record systems are computerised.

 

The Mayor had a mini tour of the Bureau and met many members of staff going about their duties.

There was also a discussion in the training room of the various elements of the way in which the Bureau enhances the lives of Worthing People, not only through the advice to individuals, but also from the point of view of Social Policy.

She was pleased to present the award of ‘Trustee Board of the Year’ to the manager, David Chapman that demonstrates the standard of services and quality delivered by the Worthing branch of the CAB.

The Mayor commented: ‘I am delighted to visit the CAB and meet the staff who offer such incredible support to the people of Worthing.

Manager, David Chapman said ‘We particularly value the support the Council has provided for the Bureau over many years and hope that we can continue to strengthen that partnership for the benefit of the people of Worthing.’    

 Mayor, Cllr Dr Heather Mercer with Husband, Keith Mercer presenting award to David Chapman, Bureau Manager   

Top of page