Citizens Advice is one of the Guardian and Observer’s annual appeal charities this year. As millions struggle with the cost of living crisis, we talk to people who have benefited from the charity’s free and confidential debt, benefits and housing advice.
‘A huge weight has been lifted’
The cost of living crisis has affected us very negatively but if I hadn’t had help from Citizens Advice, my money stresses would be double. I wouldn’t have been able to survive – I would have been using food banks all the time.
Before the pandemic, I had some credit card and council tax debt but was keeping on top of payments – and then Covid hit. I’m a self-employed hairdresser and I couldn’t work and fell behind.
[As the debts grew] I was having panic attacks. I have been dealing with mental health for a long time but this was huge. I felt I was close to getting hospitalised. My medication was put up and I was phoning 111 because I thought I was having a heart attack.
[At times] we didn’t have money for food. I have a 10-year-old daughter and I was really overwhelmed. We would go to the shop and my daughter wouldn’t understand why she couldn’t have a packet of sweets. I felt like such a disappointment, but my hands were tied.
In late 2021, I went on the government website and started filing for bankruptcy, but I couldn’t get the money together. [The application costs £680.] I first got in touch with Citizens Advice this February after being referred by the council when I needed a food parcel. They delivered food for us – they were so caring. We’ve had three parcels this year and it’s been a huge relief.
I also told them about my financial situation and they said you don’t have to [apply] for bankruptcy – you can get a debt relief order (DRO) if your debt is under £30,000. A DRO only costs £90, and lasts one year, though I don’t want to [rely on credit] again. It was amazing news just at the right time.
The advisor I was dealing with, was an absolute star. The DRO went through in August – Citizens Advice were so thorough. My adviser stayed in touch and he just went the extra mile.
I’m struggling like everyone else with the cost of living, but I’ve negotiated my bills to an amount I can pay and I don’t have to worry. Recently in Tesco, I donated to the food bank collection to give something back.
I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I get a chance to start again and do things differently. Melanie, 50, in Berkshire
‘I am so glad I contacted Citizens Advice’
I contacted Citizens Advice a few months after my boiler started acting up last autumn. I am so glad I did.
The issue with my boiler had been affecting my mental health – I was feeling depressed. It was winter and I had no heating for a day or two at time.
I also started feeling unwell and this went on for months. I was having problems with my eyes, feeling lightheaded – in the end I was losing my balance a bit.
When I contacted Citizens Advice in February the person I spoke to was very nice and extremely helpful. Not only did she liaise with the council to get an engineer out to me within 30 minutes, she also advised me to go to A&E urgently. She said it sounded like symptoms from being exposed to an oil leak. She was right – that was the reason I had been feeling so unwell for months.
My boiler was replaced within weeks of my call to Citizens Advice and I now have a carbon monoxide device installed. My general health is far better. I mentioned the effect on my mental health during my call and since the summer, I also now have a support worker [through an independent organisation]. They visit every week and I know I have someone behind me now.
If it wasn’t for Citizens Advice, I believe I would be extremely unwell and this issue would not be resolved. If I did not go to Citizens Advice there would not have been anyone else who could have helped me, so I am really thankful for all they have done as their support and advice was invaluable. Robert, 72, Anglesey
