MONEY'S TOO TIGHT TO MENTION
THE credit crunch is continuing to take its toll in the local area as Newtownabbey Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) this week revealed that it dealt with an unparalleled 31,000 enquiries over the past 12 months.
The CAB's Annual General Meeting heard that its staff carried out checks for clients leading to the recovery of 2.2 million of unclaimed benefits, dealt with 6 million of client debt, and represented at over 280 tribunals.
Of its 31,217 enquiries, 56% were about benefits, 19% concerned debts, while other issues included housing, health, legal and tax enquiries.
"Exceptional demands have been placed on the bureau's services this year as a result of the economic climate, with an increase in enquiries relating to benefit entitlement, redundancies, lay-offs, separation, mental ill-health and debt," said Mrs Pat Hutchinson, District Manager of Newtownabbey CAB.
"Never before have I witnessed such a need for advice as people struggle to make ends meet."
She added: "The demand for the bureau's quality service has increased to an enquiry level previously unmatched throughout my 25 years working in the advice sector. The outstanding success of the bureau is an achievement shared by volunteers, staff, funders and clients alike."
Councillor Billy Webb, Chairman of Newtownabbey CAB said: "Although I commented last year that the Bureau faced a challenging year ahead, little did I know then how challenging it would actually be.
"Its excellent results are indicative of the present economic downturn and a pointer to the challenges for the coming year. The need for a quality advice service provision, one that assists with minimising poverty by effectively maximising incomes, has never been so great."
Guest speaker at Wednesday's AGM was Access to Benefits CEO Patrick Minne. "In times that are proving financially difficult for an icreasing number of citizens, Newtownabbey CAB continues to make a real and measurable impact not just on individuals but on the local economy," he said. "The professionalism in its proactive approach to benefit maximisation is exemplary, and the results speak for themselves."
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Weather for Newtownabbey
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South east
