Gainsborough Citizens Advice suspends face-to-face services but help is still available

Citizens Advice is offering support only via phone and online services during the coronavirus pandemic after taking the decision to close its office doors until further notice.

Chief officer Jenny Barnett said: “Citizens Advice is here to give people the knowledge and confidence to find their way forward in these difficult times, but we have taken this decision to support the government’s latest guidelines.

“You can find frequently updated advice on a range of issues related to the coronavirus outbreak at citizensadvice.org.uk/coronavirus.”

She added: “We’ll continue to offer advice over the telephone on our Adviceline. People looking for advice can also chat to an adviser online at the Citizens Advice website.

“We are looking into other ways in which we can help people to get the advice that they need during this period.”

People who have already booked appointments should not attend and will be contacted directly.

General advice is available via the charity’s Adviceline service on 0300 3309034, open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.

People looking for advice on consumer issues – problems related to products or services they have purchased – can contact the dedicated consumer helpline on 0808 2231133 or chat online to an adviser on the website.

Anyone seeking to make a new claim for Universal Credit should call the Help to Claim line on 0800 1448444.

Citizens Advice is able to signpost people to other sources of support, including referrals to food banks and other emergency aid.

Waiting times for these services may be slightly longer than usual as staff adapt to new patterns of working.