Specialist Services

The CAB has a number of Specialist advisers who represent clients of certain groups.

The GP Outreach Project

This three year project is funded by NHS Somerset and concentrates on bringing the CAB advice service to patients of five GP surgeries in the Mendip area.

We help patients either at the Surgery on an open door basis at the pre-arranged times, by prior appointment or we can arrange visits to patients in their own homes. We offer the full CAB advice service at initial point of contact, referring on where necessary.

If you are a patient at the following Surgeries, you can either attend the Surgery at the listed time or phone us on the following numbers:

Extended Welfare Benefits Service

The Service

In September 2005, Mendip Citizens Advice Bureau, which holds Community Legal Service's Quality marks for specialist and general advice, launched an extended welfare benefits advice service under a contract awarded by the Legal Services Commission. This service is an addition to the existing advice service offered by the Bureau. The Commission awarded the contract to improve access to good benefit advice for people in this rural area.

Specialist Advisor

Jim Cook, Specialist Welfare Benefits Advisor, deals with complex benefits problems. He can complete forms for Disabled Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance, carry out complex benefit checks, apply for crisis loans and community care grants, as well as undertaking benefit appeals, tax credit appeals and social fund reviews.

Under the terms of the LSC contract, casework is performed to the same standard as would apply to a solicitor. Case recording and quality of advice is rigorously audited by LSC and clients are given written confirmation of advice at every stage

In 2009/10, over £0.5m was gained for clients.

Accessing the Service

Welfare benefits advice is offered to people of any age in Mendip.

Since joining with Frome Citizens Advice Bureau in April 2005, Mendip Citizens Advice Bureau is represented in all the five towns of Mendip - Frome, Shepton Mallet, Wells, Glastonbury and Street. At least two offices are open on every working day. In addition, there is a mobile service to the larger villages. Appointments can be made through any of the offices. For the elderly, disabled or others who find it impossible to travel to an office, it may be possible to arrange a home visit.

Jim Cook’s telephone number is 01749 347131, email jimc@mendipcab.org.uk

Debt Advice (Financial Inclusion Fund)

Money problems?

We know debt is overwhelming when you have a younf familiy. Let us help put you back in control.

Are your debts getting out of control?

If you are worried about your debts try not to panic but do not ignore your problems. The Citizens Advice Bureau and the DTI have a local Debt Adviser to help families with young children in this area.

Many different things cause debt; you may have overstretched the credit cards, loan or overdraft. Maybe your monthly expenditure now exceeds your income. Children & Christmas spiralled out of control. You are using credit cards to pay off other debts. You could face unexpected business problems or redundancy, or perhaps a break up with you partner or spouse.

Juggling debts can mean you end up borrowing more simply to live.

You don't have to cope alone. Our Face 2 Face Debt Advisers specialise in complicated and difficult debt problems.

We offer confidential advice; our adviser will review your situation and help determine your best possible financial options.

We will help put information into a Financial Statement; we are then able to determine how much you can realistically afford to offer each creditor.

We can help you to approach your creditor and follow through to a manageable conclusion or we can approach your creditors on your behalf and negotiate for you.

We would need you to give us full details of ALL you financial information.

We can check you have all the benefit entitlements to help you maximise your income.

Contact details:

Telephone:	Contact our Face 2 Face Debts Advisers on 01749 347182 or 07970 259194.
eMail:	fifadviser@mendipcab.org.uk
Local branches:	in FROME, SHEPTON MALLET, WELLS, GLASTONBURY and STREET.