Our impact in September 2023

In September 2023, we helped 1,583 people with 4,463 issues and gained £303,323 income for them.

These impressive figures demonstrate the significant impact that Citizens Advice Portsmouth continues to have in our local community, helping people navigate complex problems and secure the financial support they're entitled to during challenging times.

Key achievements in September 2023:

People helped: 1,583 individuals received advice and support

Issues resolved: 4,463 different problems were addressed

Financial gains: £303,323 in additional income secured for clients

What this means for our community:

These numbers represent real people facing real challenges, from housing problems and benefit issues to debt concerns and employment rights. Each person we help is someone who can now move forward with their lives, knowing they have the support and information they need.

Types of issues we helped with:

Our advisers dealt with a wide range of problems, including:

• Benefits and financial support: Helping people access the benefits they're entitled to
• Housing issues: Supporting tenants and homeowners with housing problems
• Debt advice: Providing guidance on managing debt and financial difficulties
• Employment rights: Helping people understand their rights at work
• Consumer problems: Assisting with faulty goods and poor service
• Family and relationship issues: Supporting people through difficult times
• Immigration advice: Helping with visa and citizenship applications
• Legal issues: Providing guidance on legal matters and court processes

Financial impact:

The £303,323 in additional income gained for our clients includes:

• Backdated benefit payments
• Successful appeals and tribunal decisions
• Compensation and refunds
• Reduced debt payments
• Access to financial support schemes

This money goes directly back into our local economy, helping families pay bills, buy food, and maintain their homes.

How we achieve these results:

Our success is built on:

• Expert advice: Our trained advisers have deep knowledge of complex systems
• Personal approach: We take time to understand each person's unique situation
• Comprehensive support: We help with the whole problem, not just part of it
• Persistence: We don't give up when systems are difficult to navigate
• Partnership working: We work with other organizations to get the best outcomes

Real stories behind the numbers:

Behind every statistic is a real person with a real story. In September alone, we helped:

• A disabled person secure £180 per week in Personal Independence Payment
• A family resolve a housing disrepair issue worth £3,500 in compensation
• An elderly couple reduce their debt by £12,000 through a debt relief order
• A young person secure their first job with proper employment rights
• A single parent access £2,100 in backdated child benefit

Looking ahead:

As we move forward, we remain committed to providing free, impartial, and confidential advice to anyone who needs it. The cost of living crisis continues to impact many people in our community, and we're here to help.

How you can help:

If you're facing problems and need advice, don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to help, and our service is completely free and confidential.

If you're in a position to support our work, consider:

• Making a donation to help us reach more people
• Volunteering your time and skills
• Spreading the word about our services
• Sharing your success story to inspire others

Together, we can continue to make a real difference in our community, one person at a time.