We helped Sam get his gas back on
Sam got in touch with his CAB after shivering with cold for three months.
"I eventually contacted the CAB after three cold winter months without any heating or cooking facilities. My meter wouldn’t accept my new key card and when I contacted the gas board they did nothing. I’m no youngster. Without the CAB, I wouldn’t have known where to go for help"
We helped Veejay take his discrimination case to court
When Veejay was turned down for promotion again, having watched several less able colleagues achieve it, he decided it was time to seek advice.
"The anxiety of the debts and the stress was bringing on my angina. I felt like I was drowning. It was only when we saw the judge in court that I realised how much the CAB had done on my behalf."
We helped Michelle get backdated maternity pay
Michelle defeated the Government in a nine year battle over underpaid maternity pay which took her the European Court of Justice. Her journey began with a visit to her local CAB.
"I advise anyone in a similar position to go to the CAB. You just never know. I felt wronged, spoke to someone and look what happened"
We helped Bill get the benefits he was due
Bill's GP referred him to a CAB adviser based at his health centre, who helped him get the benefits he was due.
"The extra money has made a hell of a difference to us. I'm only glad the adviser was at the surgery the day I went in."
We helped Haleema assert her rights
Haleema was granted exceptional leave to remain in the UK following torture and imprisonment in her home country. An Arabic speaking CAB adviser helped her secure suitable housing and a crisis loan.
Her adviser says,
"Because I spoke Arabic and I'm from her country, Haleema felt more secure speaking to me. Without our help, it's likely that she would have suffered from ignorance of the system."
We helped Ms A solve her Child Benefit problem
Ms A telephoned our advice line at 2.30 one afternoon because she could not understand how her Housing Benefit had been calculated. The CAB advised that she should be getting Child Benefit for a child who, having left school thinking he would work full time, decided to go back to college. Ms A was therefore entitled to regain Child Benefit but had been unable to do so. The adviser gave Ms A information and she telephoned the CAB advice line again at 3.30 to say that the benefit was being restored and a cheque for the backdated entitlement was on the way!
In a subsequent letter Ms A said
“You have been so kind and helpful and have made things much easier - I cannot thank you enough!."
