CAB deals with £2.5m debt in just six months

The revelation was contained in performance statistics for the bureau from April to September this year, which were presented to a Mid and East Antrim Council committee last week as part of a progress report for elected members on the delivery of advice services across the borough.

Members were reminded that the bureau is under a service level agreement with Council to provide advice services for the borough at a cost to ratepayers of £220,000 per year.

The agreement with the local authority stipulates that the method of advice provision must benefit citizens of the borough through face-to-face appointments, telephone/email advice, outreach provision, home visitation and evening/weekend provision.

Community Planning Committee members heard from their Director of Organisation Development & Community Planning, Karen Hargan, that benefits were “the number one” issue for the bureau and revealed that £1.25 million of additional benefits had been claimed for clients as a result of Mid & East Antrim CAB assistance.

Broken down, this comprised £251,789 in Housing Benefit, £301,372 Disability Benefit/Attendance Allowance, £152,394 Pension Credit/Income Support, £133,787 ESA, £323,382 Tax Credits, and £97,137 in relation to other benefits.

In her report to the committee, Ms Hargan informed members that the Department of Social Development had developed a new strategy for Advice Services in Northern Ireland which was awaiting Ministerial sign-off.

Once that process was concluded, the current service level agreement with Mid & East Antrim CAB would be reviewed in line with the Stragegy, she stated.

Committee Chairman Councillor Paul Maguire commented: “It’s clearly an important service for citizens of the borough”.

Mid & East Antrim Citizens’ Advice operates at three locations across the borough - Carrickfergus, Larne and n Ballymena.

All are contactable on one telephone number: 028 96001333.