Report comment

Just to clarify.

All local CABs are independent charities, independently funded. Each CAB has to find funding sources every year to stay in business. This is proving increasingly difficult and a number have had to shut down. Many have had to make cuts.

Advice on welfare benefits generally comes in two forms at CABs, generalist advice which is usually given by supervised volunteers and which does not have casework attached; and specialist advice which is provided by paid specialists which deals with more complex cases and which does have casework involved. Funding for a specialist welfare benefits adviser is extremely difficult to find (some would say almost impossible) and most CABs are no longer able to offer this service; many specialist posts were funded by the LSC/LAA before LASPO and no substitute funding has taken its place. Demand outstrips supply.