Advice: Hyndburn Citizens Advice Bureau provides a generalist and specialist advice service. Using the CAB Service unique information systems we offer free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and information on a wide range of subjects.

The Bureau works in partnership with a wide range of local organisations (and has been responsible for the forming of a number of thriving community-based organisations) and provides a specialist advice service to other community and voluntary organisations.

Our service is free, confidential, independent and impartial. We deliver a client- focused service working from an ethos of unconditional positive regard and seeking to challenge unfair treatment and discrimination. As such we provide a "one-stop-shop" service and aim to work holistically with people to help them resolve their problems while empowering them for the future. We also take the experiences of our service users and, while protecting confidentiality, seek to achieve change in social policy to stop the same problems occurring in the future for other people. In this respect the Citizens Advice Bureaux Service  is unique and constitutes the national advice service.

If you need further advice or information and you live in Hyndburn area you can contact us in person, by phone, fax  or in writing.

If you do not live in the area we cover, the national Citizens Advice service website includes a UK-wide directory of local CAB with their contact details and the services available.

Some of the things we give advice on …
Social security benefits
we advise on entitlement to benefits, out-of-work and in-work welfare benefits, income support, housing benefits, the social fund, tax credits, disability benefits and incapacity benefit and jobseekers allowance, among others.  We give practical help by calculating entitlement to benefits, help fill in relevant documents, complete reviews and appeal letters. We represent at social security tribunals. If appropriate we can take cases to Social Security Commissioners.

Debt:  We advise on all aspects of debt and the courses of action appropriate to people experiencing indebtedness. We help by preparing a budget statements, maximising incomes, mediating and negotiating with creditors and third parties to achieve stability and resolution and representation at court hearings. We also press for improvements in how people in debt are treated by creditors by using our knowledge of how people are affected by current rules.

Consumer issues: We advise and help with consumer rights. We offer practical help by negotiating with shops and traders, draft or write letters and  telephone or fax companies on clients’ behalf, help with forms, and assist with small claims at the county court. We press for improvements in consumer law by using our knowledge of how people are affected by the current rules and we are a co-founder of the Lancashire Consumer Supprot Network which aims to raise awareness of consumer rights, help people resist rogue traders and reduce the risk of doorstep crime.

Housing:We advise on all aspects of housing including: rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants, tenancies, housing benefit, rent problems, including establishing 'fair rents', advice on eviction and problems with neighbours.

Employment:We  advise individuals, small firms and micro-enterprises on rights under contracts of employment, and in the absence of written contracts we advise about statutory rights (including national minimum wage and holiday pay). We give advice about benefits or tax credits when in work. We also advise about discrimination at work.

We offer practical help with claims for unpaid wages, checking redundancy payments are correct, advising on changes to terms and conditions, advising on employee's individual rights and identify possible claims for unfair dismissal. We help clients facing bullying at work or discrimination. We advise on claims to the Employment Tribunal and may represent people at these. If necessary we can help take a claim to an employment tribunal and represent you free of charge. If your problem is complex we can arrange an appointment with a specialist employment adviser.

Legal system:At [name of bureau] Citizens Advice Bureau we can help you gain access to justice, advise you on your entitlements under the community legal service, pursue compensation for accidents and injuries and give advice and guidance about going to court. If necessary, we can make an appointment with a legal representative.

Tax:We give advice on tax problems, including income tax, tax credits, inheritance tax and council tax.

Immigration:We give advice on many aspects of immigration such as: visitor visas, fiancé/e or spouse visas, student visas, settlement visas, work permits, immigration status, welfare benefits, asylum seekers and refugees. The Bureau also hosts a specialist adviser session in partnership with Preston & West Lancashire REC.

Family:The Bureau provides advice on a range of family issues including: separation, divorce, maintenance and child support, parents rights and responsibilities, birth and adoption, change of name, what to do when someone dies. If necessary we can refer to a counsellor, mediator or a family lawyer.

The Bureau provides help to vulnerable people maintaining independent lifestyles and promotes well-being by enabling our users to access the services and facilities established for their benefit. We press for improvements in family law by using our knowledge of how people are affected by the current rules.

But that's not all!  - Visit our websites wwwadviceguide.org.uk and www.citizensadvice.org.uk for more information about what we do!