Service delivery during the Covid-19 Pandemic

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During the Covid-19 epidemic, we have adapted our service delivery to comply with Government guidelines and to ensure the safety of our staff and the users of our services. We are providing most of our specialist advice provision by telephone or email with our advisors mainly working from home and set up to effectively deal with ongoing referrals from agencies and members of the public contacting us for advice. We are now however in the process  of developing a phased return to face to face service delivery.

 

Due to the latest lockdown, our Advice Centres are closed to the public and some services like our Immigration Advice Service have had to be suspended.  We will post advice as to when we will be able to resume these services.

 

Some limited pre arranged appointments will be available at the Northampton Advice Centre and Rushden Advice Centre for people unable to be advised by phone or video. Social Distancing will be observed. People will be required to wear face covering and use the hand gel provided.

 

There will be no Drop-In advice sessions at any of our offices or outreach venues until further notice.

We are continuing to  provide our specialist advice provision by telephone or email during these difficult times . We are set up to effectively deal with ongoing referrals from agencies and members of the public calling us for advice and have continued to provide advice to local residents throughout the lockdown . Most of our services cover residents across Northamptonshire and anyone requiring advice should contact us without delay to avoid problems escalating.

 We are providing advice delivered by professional specialist advisors in the following areas:   

 

Tel: 01604 621038  or  Email: enquiries@communitylawservice.org.uk

 

 Debt Advice Service –

Our Debt Advice Team funded by the Money and Pensions Service can provide a full range of Debt advice for any   Northamptonshire residents . East Northants Council also provides funding for additional Debt advice provision for residents in   East Northamptonshire. 

 

 Welfare Benefits Advice Service –

We can provide benefit checks including advice on entitlements,help with claims, help to challenge decisions  and support with   appeals

 

 Housing Advice Service –

We can provide advice and representation in respect of repossession and eviction for people eligible for Legal Aid and other   Housing advice including problems with rent arrears. 

 

 Energy Advice Service  –

Help to better afford energy bills including benefit advice and income maximisation, utility debt advice, energy tariff checks and   switching, access to grants

 

 Immigration Advice Service –

Free initial advice and assessment  and a full range of follow on  Immigration casework services through a low cost Not for   Profit fee paying service. 

During the current lockdown, our Immigration Advice Service has been suspended until mid February or whenever the current situation is eased.

 

 How to Contact Us:

  For any of the above services contact should be made as follows: 

 

 

Agency Referrals:

Where possible agencies should utilise the online Referral Form at: www.communitylawservice.org.uk/make-a-referral 

Alternatively, direct people to our telephone or email services. On receipt, the referral will be allocated to the most

appropriate service.

 

 Public Contact:  

• Telephone Service   01604 621038   Monday – Thursday 10.00am – 2pm   Fridays  10am – 1pm

• Email :   enquiries@communitylawservice.org.uk

 

 

Additional Project Contact Details

Our Projects are still also operational by telephone and email. They can be contacted directly on the following numbers.

Callers may be asked to leave a message and an advisor will call back as soon as possible.

 

 Financial Health and Wellbeing Service 

 Funded by British Gas Energy Trust providing Benefits, Debt and Energy advice for people who are experiencing ill

 health or have a disability. Tel: 01604 235709 or email:  financialhealth@communitylawservice.org.uk

 Health agencies including GP surgeries and Mental Health services and voluntary sector health support services should

 continue to refer using the contact details above or via our website www.communitylawservice.org.uk/make-a-referral

 

 Children’s Benefit Take-Up Project 

Funded by Children in Need for children and young people who are ill or who have a disability –

Tel: Tel: 01604 624070 or email:  j.coe@communitylawservice.org.uk

 

 Northamptonshire Energy Saving Service 

Funded by National Grid’s Warm Homes Fund providing support for households to better afford energy bills including

benefit advice and income maximisation, utility debt advice, tariff switching and energy efficiency advice . Tel: 01604 623700

or enquire via the website:   www.northamptonshireenergysavingservice.org.uk