TOPICS

Benefits

If you are considering contacting us with benefit queries, we do go through a standard questionnaire in order to assist you in as many ways as possible. We can help identify which benefits may be applicable to you and assist with benefit application forms. We can also help you appeal against benefit decisions. To look at an overview of benefit entitlement and the relevant conditions, CLICK HERE. To see an overview of maternity benefits and other benefits associated with children, CLICK HERE. For further information about benefits, explore Advice Guide found on the Home page.

Tax Credits

General advice can be given in regard to Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. If you would like to check your entitlement, or make a claim online on the Inland Revenue's web site (CLICK HERE). For all other tax enquiries you can visit the Inland Revenue's web site home page (CLICK HERE). For further information about Tax Credits, explore Advice Guide found on the Home page.

Housing

We can give advice to tenants, landlords and property owners. We can give advice on the legal status of tenancy agreements, notices of possession etc and can help with the court forms for possession proceedings. We can also give advice on how to prepare for court hearings. If you're unsure of your tenancy status, CLICK HERE to view a 'tenancy status' flow chart. The Local Authority is able to offer the residents of Plymouth advice and information at Midland House - CLICK HERE for details. For a guide and information about housing allocation CLICK HERE. For further information about housing issues, explore Advice Guide found on the Home page. 

Homelessness

We can identify when somebody is legally homeless, whether they have priority need etc - and what duties the Local Authority have to assist. We often refer to Shelter because they are specialists in housing and homelessness issues. CLICK HERE to view Shelter's web site. We are also able to assist in challenging Local Authority decisions regarding homelessness.  Please CLICK HERE to view more information. The Local Authority is able to offer the residents of Plymouth advice and information at Midland House - CLICK HERE for details. For further information about homelessness issues, explore Advice Guide found on the Home page.

Employment

We can provide information on employer and employee rights and responsibilities, including health and safety aspects, unfair dismissal, redundancy, discrimination, holidays, wages and so on. If you are considering contacting us with employment queries, we do go through a standard questionnaire in order to assist you in as many ways as possible. It would be useful if you brought in one or two pages in your own writing of what has happened to you so far, and you could save time by completing the printer friendly questionnaire (CLICK HERE), and bring it with you should you visit us. The reference numbers on this questionnaire are for our use. For further information about employment issues, explore Advice Guide found on the Home page.

Consumer

To find out more about Trading Standards CLICK HERE  to visit their web site. For further information about consumer issues, explore Advice Guide found on the Home page.

Money Advice

We recognize that many people have financial problems and that these can arise for a variety of different reasons. We can help you draw up a personal budget sheet (financial statement). We can also advise you about budgeting, about liability for debts, how to inform your creditors you are seeking debt advice, identify which debts are priority and which are non-priority, how to negotiate affordable and sustainable repayments and how to set up payment schedules. Our debt advice procedures are well presented in a self-help booklet called 'dealing with your debts', provided by the Money Advice Trust.  If you feel able to attempt debt management for yourself, these books are available from our office or from the National Debt line (CLICK HERE). Other agencies are also able to offer free debt advice. CLICK HERE for their contact details.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

We can help completing various court forms, response to claims and bankruptcy petitions. We can also assist with varying existing court orders. For further information about money advice, explore Advice Guide found on the Home page.

Relationships

We can provide information regarding your rights and responsibilities in an unmarried or married relationship, including issues regarding children. We can also provide information regarding relationships at work, with neighbours and so on. In cases where mediation may be appropriate, we often refer people to Plymouth Family Mediation. To view the Plymouth Family Mediation leaflet, CLICK HERE. To view some general information about ending a relationship, CLICK HERE. For further information about relationships, explore Advice Guide found on the Home page.

 Legal Help

We can help explain your legal rights, court procedures, legal documents and so on. For help on choosing and using a solicitor, go to ‘Using a solicitor’ in Advice Guide. For details of solicitors and legal services in your area, visit the online directory of the CLSdirect website (run by the Legal Services Commission).