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The citizens advice bureau is a free
advice giving agency who also give information and assistance
to individuals with problems.
Citizens Advice Bureau workers may be
involved in a number of different activities. These include:
- Information giving.
- Advice giving.
- Negotiation.
- Representation.
- Advocacy
- Mediation
Whilst using the Bureau, it is noteworthy
that the clients are encouraged to act on their own behalf
rather than becoming dependant on the bureau worker. Action
is only taken on behalf of a client with their permission.
Citizens Advice Bureau workers are expected to be able to:
- Explain basic rights and responsibilities
in consumer debt and other areas.
For the purpose of this definition of
the bureau and the work they do, we concentrate only on the
issue of consumer debt.
The Citizens Advice Bureau officers can
help you to list all of your personal expenditure and then,
most importantly, prioritise that expenditure.
The bureau distinguishes between those
expenses that have to be paid such as:-
- Rent
- Food
- Clothes
- Gas
- Electricity
- Etc
From expenditures that are not critical:
- Unsecured loans
- Credit card bills
- Etc
The main aim of the Citizens Advice Bureau is to provide
free relevant advice to a client in financial difficulties.
They provide independent debt advice
to help with problems from paying the gas bill to bailiff
action. They also assist clients in sorting out which debts
are most urgent and negotiating realistic repayment terms
with unsecured (or non-preferential) creditors. They are able
to represent clients in court proceedings where requested.
The Citizens Advice Bureau are also able
to advise clients on threatened repossessions of properties
and again will represent clients in court proceedings free
of charge.
They also assist small businesses with
trading difficulties and can help check clients are not missing
out on unclaimed benefits or tax allowances, and even advise
on bankruptcy.
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