Stroud & Cotswold Districts
COVID-19 Notice
Following national guidance, Citizens Advice Stroud & Cotswold Districts has had to make the difficult decision to close our offices and outreaches to members of the public.
We are following official advice to minimise the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection to our clients, volunteers and staff. If you need our support, please contact us by telephone: Stroud District on 0808 800 0510 and Cotswold District on 0808 800 0511. Also, you can contact us by email using the Email Advice page: https://www.citizensadvice-stroudandcotswold.org.uk/stroud-cab-email-advice.php
If you are unable to contact us or need urgent advice out of our office hours, you can contact an adviser through our national phone service, Adviceline: 03444 111 444. If you need further information about coronavirus, please visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you/.
Coronavirus and Claiming Benefits
The following link to a gov.uk site sets out options for claiming benefits in the current outbreak and is updated regularly. https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus/
Coronavirus and Your Energy Supply
Ofgem are giving guidance and advice on frequently asked questions about Coronavirus and your energy supply. These questions include advice for prepayment customers who are self-isolating, if you are struggling to pay your energy bills, and what to do if you have an emergency energy problem and need a home visit.
Find out more at https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-and-your-energy-supply
Advice on Employment Issues
ACAS has produced some useful guidance on a number of Coronavirus related topics including receiving sick pay during self-isolation. You can visit their website: https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus to find out more.
ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) work with millions of employers and employees every year to improve workplace relationships. They are an independent public body that receives funding from the government.
Coronavirus Scams
There has been a spike in scams linked to the Coronavirus crisis. Councils are warning people to beware of scammers pretending to be health officials or offering to pick up food and medicines.
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau says it has recorded 200 cases of fraudulent emails being sent, which include scammers who:
- pretend to be from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or World Health Organization, asking recipients to click a link to report active infections in their area
- offer links to a fake daily newsletter for Covid-19 updates
- offer fake insurance schemes and trading advice
- pretend to be from the government, offering tax refunds
The Insolvency Service have tips to help protect yourself against financial scammers https://www.gov.uk/government/news/be-vigilant-against-coronavirus-scams
Your Local Citizens Advice
We are a local charity which operates under the names of Citizens Advice Stroud District and Citizens Advice Cotswold District.
We provide free, independent, impartial and confidential advice across the Stroud and Cotswold districts of Gloucestershire and we work to empower and enable people to use that advice to solve their problems, whatever they may be.
We influence the development of social policies and services, both locally and nationally.
CALL US ON FREEPHONE :
* Free from land lines, pay phones and most mobiles
STROUD DISTRICT - 0808 800 0510
(Lines open - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - 10 am - 4 pm)
COTSWOLD DISTRICT - 0808 800 0511
(Lines open - Monday to Thursday 10 am - 4 pm)
Getting Advice
Our team of highly-trained volunteers and experienced specialist case workers provide a full range of advice services which you can access in whatever way suits you best:
Please visit our Getting Advice section to help you find the advice you need.
Your local branch
Our main offices are in Stroud and Cirencester with outreaches at various other locations across the Stroud and Cotswold districts.
Please visit the Stroud District contact page and the Cotswold District contact page for further details of locations and opening times.
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