Portsmouth District Citizens Advice Bureaux Get Advice Page

Advice introduction

This information is provided as a general guidance only; you should confirm whether any special requirements apply in your case by attending the bureau and discussing your case with an adviser.

Portsmouth District Citizens Advice Bureau offers a generalist advice service and some specialist services. Using the Citizens Advice service's unique information system we can give you free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and information on a wide range of subjects. We offer an AM drop-in service for an interview to assess how we can best assist you with your enquiry. These usually last for 30 minutes. During the interview the adviser will:

Briefly explore your situation
Offer practical advice
Offer leaflets or brief information
Assist in using our information kiosk
Signpost you to another organisation
Offer you to return to the bureau for an appointment at the next available opportunity detailing what information you need to bring with you
Appointments are available PM Monday - Thursday from 1:00pm - 3:30pm.

The eight main categories of problems, which form a large part of the CAB's work, can be viewed with a selection of frequently asked questions and some useful organisations which can offer further assistance. Click on the buttons above to view these pages.

You may also access a range of continuously updated CAB information and advice on the Internet; go to the CAB Adviceguide website by clicking on the button below.

If you are unsure about your entitlement to benefits, at Portsmouth District Citizens Advice Bureau we can advise you. We can help with unemployment benefits, income support, housing benefits, the social fund, tax credits, disability and incapacity benefits and jobseekers allowance.

We can give practical assistance by helping you to work out your entitlement to benefits, help you fill in the appropriate forms and write review and appeal letters.

In appropriate cases, we can represent you at social security tribunals or take your case to the commissioners.

We also press for improvements in social security law by using our knowledge of how people are affected by the current rules. For self help in dealing with welfare benefits, the Legal Services Commission has produced a leaflet entitled 'Welfare Benefits - Your legal rights (Leaflet 9)'. Click on this link to download a copy from the internet or call into the bureau for a copy.

>>Take me to 'Benefits FAQ' (This will take you to the Adviceguide Benefits FAQ Section.)

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You are entitled to complain about any goods that are damaged, faulty or unsafe. You may also complain if you feel that the goods are not appropriate for the purpose for which you bought them, or that they do not fit the description given.

When you buy something, you and the seller make a contract. This contract is between you and the seller, not between you and the manufacturer.

If you have a valid complaint, you have a right to have the problem sorted out. It may take some effort on your part, but keep trying. In some cases it may be necessary to go to court to get the matter settled.

This is not as difficult as it sounds and just taking some action could be enough to resolve matters.

If you are unsure about your consumer rights, at Portsmouth District Citizens Advice Bureau we can give you practical help by negotiating with shops and traders, help you to write letters or fill in forms, or assist you with small claims procedures at the county court.

For self help in dealing with goods and services, the Legal Services Commission has produced a leaflet entitled 'Problems with goods and services - Your legal rights (Leaflet 13)'. Click on this link to download a copy from the internet or call into the bureau for a copy.

>>Take me to 'Consumer Complaints FAQ' (This will take you to the Adviceguide Consumer FAQ Section.)

Useful numbers if you have a Consumer complaint.

Organisation	Telephone
OFT Consumer Information Line	084 5722 4499
OFT Switchboard	020 7211 8000
Consumer Direct	084 5404 0506

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We all owe money to various people all the time: bills are a fact of life. But, from time to time, you may find yourself overwhelmed by your debts, and can't see a way of paying them all. But you should NEVER IGNORE BILLS. You must get help to find a way of dealing with them.

At Portsmouth District Citizens Advice Bureau we can advise you on all aspects of debt and the courses of action open to you. We can help with preparing a budget statement, negotiation with creditors and representation at county court repossession hearings.

We press for improvements in how people in debt are treated by creditors or the law by using our knowledge of how people are affected by current rules.

For self help in dealing with debt problems, the Legal Services Commission has produced a leaflet entitled 'Dealing with debt - Your legal rights (Leaflet 1)'. Click on this link to download a copy from the internet or call into the bureau for a copy.

>>Take me to 'Debt FAQ' (This will take you to the Adviceguide Debt FAQ Section.)

Useful numbers if you have debts.

Organisation	Telephone
National Debt Line	080 8808 4000
The Business Debt Line	080 0197 6026
Consumer Credit Counselling Service	080 0138 1111
Payplan	080 0085 4298
PCC Housing Money Advice (City Council Tenants Only)	080 0032 1531

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Every worker has the right to be paid and to enjoy a reasonably safe place of work in the same way. Your employer has a duty to you, including a duty of honesty, loyalty, confidentiality and personal service.

If you are having problems, then you should seek help and find out your legal rights when you are at work, including what your employer must (and must not) do for you and how they should behave towards you.

Portsmouth District Citizens Advice Bureau can advise you according to your written contract. If you don't have a written contract we can advise you about your statutory rights including the minimum wage and holiday pay. We can give advice about benefits or tax credits you are entitled to, when in work and can also advise on discrimination issues at work, redundancy and unfair dismissal.

If necessary we can help you make a claim to an employment tribunal and where possible, represent you free of charge. If your problem is complex we can arrange an appointment with a specialist employment adviser.

For self help in dealing with employment problems, the Legal Services Commission has produced a leaflet entitled 'Employment - Your rights at work (Leaflet 2)'. Click on this link to download a copy from the internet or call into the bureau for a copy.

>>Take me to 'Employment FAQ' (This will take you to the Adviceguide Employment FAQ Section.)

Useful numbers if you have employment related problems.

Organisation	Telephone
Employment Rights Advice Agency	020 7431 7385
Employment Service Direct	084 5606 0234
Equal Opportunities Commission	016 1833 9244
Lesbian Employment Rights	020 7704 8066
Gay Employment Rights	020 7704 8066

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Having nowhere to live is a terrifying thought, but there are laws that are meant to protect you from being homeless, especially if you are a vulnerable person: for example, if you are young, pregnant, or being threatened by someone.

Acting quickly is important if you are homeless or facing homelessness. The sooner you get help the more likely you will be able to find somewhere suitable to live, or to prevent your home being repossessed.

At Portsmouth District Citizens Advice Bureau we can advise you on all aspects of housing including: rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants, tenancies, housing benefit, rent problems, establishing 'fair rents', advice on eviction and problems with neighbours. If your problem is complex we can arrange an appointment with a specialist adviser.

We press for changes in housing law by using our knowledge of how people are affected by the current rules.

For self help in dealing with eviction and homelessness, the Legal Services Commission has produced a leaflet entitled 'Losing your home � Dealing with eviction and homelessness (Leaflet 6)'. Click on this link to download a copy from the internet or call into the bureau for a copy.

>>Take me to 'Housing FAQ' (This will take you to the Adviceguide Housing FAQ Section.)

Useful numbers if you have housing related problems.

Organisation	Telephone
Leasehold Advisory Service	020 7490 9580
National Association of Estate Agents	019 2649 6800
Portsmouth City Council - Housing	023 9283 4989
Rent Service	020 7388 4383
Shelter	080 8800 4444

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If someone owes you money and you cannot settle things any other way, you may decide to issue a claim in the county court. People can also claim for other reasons, including:

bad workmanship;

damage to their property;

personal injury;

road traffic accidents; and

goods not supplied.

The system for handling smaller claims, under �5,000, is designed to be quick, cheap and easy to use.

At Portsmouth District Citizens Advice Bureau we can help you gain access to justice, advise you on your entitlements , pursue compensation for accidents and injuries and give advice and guidance about going to court.

If necessary, we can also make you an appointment with a legal representative.

We press for improvements in legal services by using our knowledge of how people are affected by the current rules.

>>Take me to 'Legal FAQ' (This will take you to the Adviceguide Legal FAQ Section.)

Useful numbers if you need to go to court.

Organisation	Telephone
The Law Society Of England & Wales	020 7242 1222
Community Legal Service (CLS)	084 5608 1122

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Marriage difficulties can bring out the worst in people, but domestic violence is only one of the reasons for relationship breakdown and there is help available for those suffering domestic violence. However, remember that if you do decide to divorce or separate, there are advantages in trying to keep things civil between you and your husband or wife.

In the first place, the legal proceedings will cost less. There is no point wasting money over an argument if there is another way of reaching agreement.

If you have children, a bitter fight will only harm them, try to put them first.

A fight will also be more damaging for you. Once the divorce is over you have to get on with the rest of your life. It is harder to do this if you know that you have behaved badly.

At Portsmouth District Citizens Advice Bureau we can advise you on all aspects regarding the family, including: separation and 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 you to a counsellor, a mediator or make an appointment to see a family lawyer.

For self help in dealing with your rights if your relationship breaks down, the Legal Services Commission have produced a leaflet entitled 'Divorce and Separation - Your rights if your marriage breaks down (Leaflet 3)'. There is also a leaflet entitled �Domestic Violence, Abuse and Harassment � Your rights to protection (Leaflet 26)�. Click on these links to download copies from the internet or call into the bureau for a copy.

>>Take me to 'Relationship FAQ' (This will take you to the Adviceguide Relationship FAQ Section.)

Useful numbers if you have a relationship problem.

Organisation	Telephone
Marriage Care	023 9226 4880
Relate	017 8857 3241
UK College of Family Mediators	020 7391 9162

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Housing costs are a large part of most people's expenses. Whether you own your home or pay rent, you will probably have to pay council tax and if you are on a low income, this can be difficult to manage.

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are schemes to help claimants pay for rent and council tax. They are assessed and paid by local councils.

At Portsmouth District Citizens Advice Bureau we can give advice on benefit and tax problems, including income tax, tax credits, inheritance tax and council tax.

We press for improvements in tax law by using our knowledge of how people are affected by the current rules.

>>Take me to 'Tax FAQ' (This will take you to the Adviceguide Tax FAQ Section.)

>>Take me to 'Housing Benefit FAQ' (This will take you to the Adviceguide Housing benefit FAQ Section.)

>>Take me to 'Council Tax FAQ' (This will take you to the Adviceguide Council Tax FAQ Section.)

Useful numbers if you have a tax query.

Organisation	Telephone
Inland Revenue Helpline	084 5900 0444
Portsmouth City Council - Housing & Council Tax Benefit	023 9221 9191
Housing Benefit Advice Centre	023 9279 3000
TaxAid	020 7624 3768

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