TENDRING’S Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) could be in line for extra money as it helps the district’s cashstrapped residents with changes to the benefit system.
Tendring Council’s £144,000 grant makes up almostaquarter of the branch’s overall funding.
The CAB’s primary aim is to help residents resolve legal and finical problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice.
It has seen a huge increase in its workload since the Government introduced its austerity measures, leading to a cut in many people’s benefits.
The branch has also been behind the Tendring Advice Network, the Community Builder trial project, food drives in Clacton and other schemes.
Lynda Isaac, chief executive of Tendring CAB, said without the council’s contribution, it would not have been able to deliver the range of services currently provided.
The council’s community leaderships and partnerships scrutiny committee has called on the authority’s cabinet to “look sympathetically” at additional support for the district’s bureau.
It said the CAB “may be required to undertake an enormous amount of additional work due to the introduction of Universal Credit in 2015”.
The Government’s new Universal Credit scheme is set to replace six means-testedbenefits and tax credits, including Jobseeker’s Allowance, housing benefit, working tax credits, child tax credits and income support.
It is estimated 3.1 million households will be entitled to more benefits under the scheme, but 2.8 million will be given less.
The council’s cabinet will review the work carried out following its grant atameeting tomorrow.
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