Citizens Advice

Does anyone know if you can visit any CAB branch, or are you restricted to the one associated with your borough of residence? 

The one in my borough only offers advice through phoning a telephone line, but the one in the neighboring borough allows you to book or drop-in to face-to-face sessions.  DH and I would rather attend a face-to-face session as both of us are in need of joint advice, and we think an in-person discussion with an adviser is probably the best way to accomplish this.  But we're not sure if we would be turned away if we showed up as we aren't resident in the borough.

I would call them, your local one may be able to set up the appointment there if you explain the situation and why you need advice.

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

That's a little bit of the problem.  I've been trying to get in contact with my local branch, and having absolutely no luck.

When I call my local CAB branch, I'm usually in a phone queue.  Which I wouldn't mind, but -

If the queue is already 5 people, the call is automatically hung up as the system does not allow more than 5 people to be waiting in the phone queue.

If you are in the queue for more than 12 minutes, the call is automatically hung up as the system does not allow you to be queuing for more than 12 minutes.

When I call, I either encounter the first scenario where the queue is full and I'm advised to try to call back later.  Or, I am able to join the queue (today I even got to queue position 1!) but the call automatically ends because it took me 12 minutes to reach queue position 1. 

There's no way to get in contact on the website (online form, email contact), and the physical location is by appointment only. 

That's a little bit of the problem.  I've been trying to get in contact with my local branch, and having absolutely no luck.

When I call my local CAB branch, I'm usually in a phone queue.  Which I wouldn't mind, but -

If the queue is already 5 people, the call is automatically hung up as the system does not allow more than 5 people to be waiting in the phone queue.

If you are in the queue for more than 12 minutes, the call is automatically hung up as the system does not allow you to be queuing for more than 12 minutes.

When I call, I either encounter the first scenario where the queue is full and I'm advised to try to call back later.  Or, I am able to join the queue (today I even got to queue position 1!) but the call automatically ends because it took me 12 minutes to reach queue position 1. 

There's no way to get in contact on the website (online form, email contact), and the physical location is by appointment only. 

Call very first thing in the morning, you'll have much more chance of getting through. 

Does anyone know if you can visit any CAB branch, or are you restricted to the one associated with your borough of residence? 

On the CAB website is has
"Some local Citizens Advice can only give you advice if you live in their local council area."
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/search-for-your-local-citizens-advice/

The CAB are very busy. Could you use a solicitor who specialises in the area you want? Some offer a free 30 minutes.

We were looking for advice regarding eligibility for benefits, particularly in relation to disability and either complete inability to work or significantly reduced ability to work.  At the moment, both of us are working full-time, but I fear that might not be the case in the near future.

What you really need is somebody from the CAB who is a benefits advisor. It doesn't matter if that is by phone or face to face.

I finally did manage to get in touch with someone from CAB; all they did was refer me to the online entitlement calculators.  Is that the extent of the advice they are able to provide?  I was hoping for perhaps a bit more discussion instead of, "Give me your email and I'll email you some links."  (which was all it was)

I'm trying to figure out if I have to reduce my working hours due to inability to work a full shift, if I would be eligible for benefits to make up enough of the difference to cover the essential living expenses.  Plus, DH is disabled and might be at a point where he is unable to work at all.  With both of us disabled to varying degrees, and quasi-caring for each other, we've been a bit overwhelmed at all the different options/eligibility criteria/processes - especially in regards to claiming/applying as a couple or individually. 

  

Is there an advocacy service where you live? You may need to have a chat with the council as well. CAB might be able help, but their first step is always to provide those links. Advocacy can help navigate the processes. Its a maze!

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

I finally did manage to get in touch with someone from CAB; all they did was refer me to the online entitlement calculators.  Is that the extent of the advice they are able to provide?  I was hoping for perhaps a bit more discussion instead of, "Give me your email and I'll email you some links."  (which was all it was)

I'm trying to figure out if I have to reduce my working hours due to inability to work a full shift, if I would be eligible for benefits to make up enough of the difference to cover the essential living expenses.  Plus, DH is disabled and might be at a point where he is unable to work at all.  With both of us disabled to varying degrees, and quasi-caring for each other, we've been a bit overwhelmed at all the different options/eligibility criteria/processes - especially in regards to claiming/applying as a couple or individually. 

  

Why don't you just apply and go through the assessment to see what level they award you?  PIP isn't means-tested.  You can get benefits whether you are in work full-time, part-time, or not at all.  It doesn't hurt to apply, and then you'll have the information you need to decide whether you can afford to cut back your hours.