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 How Citizens Advice Bureau service helps citizens Over 3.5 million citizens benefited from information and advice services provided by member national networks of Citizens Advice International.The number of enquiries is even bigger given that citizens have to return to CABs for guidance along the process of solving their problems. The advice is provided in a stepwise way, with accuracy and care for citizens’ concern. CAB advice is free, impartial, independent, confidential and mainly provided by trained volunteers. There are a number of different ways that CAB advisers can help people to resolve a problem.- Advisers don’t tell people what to do, but explain their options and the possible outcomes of different courses of action.
- Citizens addressing the CAB are encouraged to make their own decisions and act on their own behalf.
- We enable them to manage their own problems by focusing on their needs as individuals.
CAB advisers, most of whom are trained volunteers can:- interview citizens face-to-face and by phone to find out what the problem(s) are;
- access our regularly updated electronic information database for up to the minute information;
- help clients to negotiate with companies or service providers such as creditors or to appeal against decisions, for example, social security benefit claims;
- help citizens to prioritize their problems, for example, to sort out which debts are most important;
- help clients with form filling, for example, to claim for social security benefits;
- represent citizens in court and at tribunals in some countries;
- refer citizens to CAB specialist caseworkers for complex problems or to other agencies when appropriate
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