Citizens Advice in Thetford Wins Funding For Universal Credit Pilot

A Citizens Advice branch which serves the Thetford area has been awarded funding for a pilot project to support Universal Credit claimants.

Citizens Advice Diss, Thetford & District is one of 14 branches in the country and the only one in East Anglia to receive the Government funding.

The money for the pilot project, which runs from January to April, will go towards computer equipment and extra advisers to help Universal Credit claimants navigate the online benefit system.

Chief executive Dr Mel Jones said support is ‘desperately needed’ and they tried to focus their funding bid on helping those in rural areas.

Diss and Thetford moved to the full Universal Credit service in May and September respectively and to date the Citizens Advice branch has seen 147 clients about their claim.

Dr Jones added: “We’ve already helped over 140 Universal Credit claimants locally get the money they are entitled to since we moved to full service at the beginning of this year. Claimants have to wait five weeks before receiving their first payment and the sad fact is that this can put people into debt as they struggle to pay rent and bills.

“The funding for the pilot will enable us to reach even more clients and provide tailored support to help them, from making an initial claim right through to challenging unfair decisions.”

Citizens Advice will roll out the full programme of support nationally in April.

The charity runs a drop-in at the Abbey Neighbourhood Centre, in Exeter Way, Thetford on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9.30am and 2.30pm.