The South Glos Post

South Gloucestershire residents who need help with managing their debt or claiming welfare benefits are being helped thanks to a local advice service.

South Gloucestershire Council has awarded a three-year contract to a partnership of five local organisations to provide a free advice service for its residents.

The partnership is made up of voluntary and community sector organisations including Avon & Bristol Law Centre, Age UK South Gloucestershire, Bristol Debt Advice Centre, North Bristol Advice Centre and South Gloucestershire Citizens Advice Bureau.

Regardless of circumstances, anyone can ask for advice from these agencies by going to one of the drop-in sessions which are run at community venues across South Gloucestershire.

As well as looking out for drop-in sessions run in your local area, you can phone for initial advice and a home visiting service is available for people unable to visit their offices in person . All the agencies provide general advice, with specialist knowledge in welfare benefit and debt advice. They can also help with advice ranging from employment to community care.

Cllr Heather Goddard, executive member for health, external affairs and partnership development, said:

“We are delighted that in these tough financial times the council has agreed to continue to fund the service at the same core level.”

More: How to contact the advice agencies »

Source: South Gloucestershire Council

Social security fraud, including bogus claims for housing benefit and council tax benefit, costs the country billions of pounds each year.

South Gloucestershire is no different. The council is committed to identifying, investigating and preventing benefit fraud and has a zero tolerance approach to fraudulent claims. There are tight measures in force to crack down on housing and council tax benefit fraud.

Last year the council successfully took 96 fraudsters to court – a 30% increase on the previous year. All the claimants were found guilty of fraud, with 37 being prosecuted, 50 receiving cautions and another nine were fined.

During the year, South Gloucestershire Council’s fraud team identified benefit overpayments totalling some £418,000, of which £264,000 related to housing and council tax benefits paid to people who were not entitled to receive them.

Cllr Allan Higgs, executive member for corporate affairs, said: “The council takes all allegations of fraud very seriously and I would urge residents to inform us if they have worries that someone isn’t entitled in the confidence that we will investigate.

“With public funds being so limited it is essential that money goes to those who are entitled to help and we stop those who are committing fraud.”

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Source: South Gloucestershire Council