There are a number of advice agencies operating in Southwark who can provide advice and guidance to people experiencing issues relating to their Universal Credit claim (and other benefit-related issues).
Joint update from Citizens Advice Southwark, Southwark Law Centre, Migrant Legal Action and Cambridge House Law Centre
As the four main advice agencies in Southwark, they have provided this joint update on how local residents can continue to access their vital advice and information services safely, whilst following guidance provided by the government and Public Health England around Covid19.
Face-to-face
Citizens Advice Southwark has now resumed face-to-face drop in sessions from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm 5 days per week at its offices:
- Peckham – 97 Peckham High Street, SE15 5RS
- Walworth – 6-8 Westmoreland Road, Walworth, SE17 2AY
These services are being provided following social distancing guidelines and best practice. We encourage people to drop in anytime during our opening hours but to avoid early mornings in case of queues.
There are currently no other face-to-face drop in sessions operating in Southwark. Please do not attend the offices of Southwark Law Centre, Cambridge House Law Centre and Migrant Legal Action unless you have an appointment.
The teams will continue to help all clients with existing cases and are providing people in this situation with information about how to contact their caseworker.
Where there is an emergency they will do their best to make arrangements for a face-to-face appointment.
By Phone
Phone services and details of how and when people can get in contact for help are set out in the table below:
In addition, Southwark Law Centre continues to provide second tier advice for other agencies on 020 7732 2008 – Mon to Fri 09.30 to 13.00 and 14.00 to 17.30.
Online
- All Citizens Advice Southwark public services can be accessed by email through their website – https://www.citizensadvicesouthwark.org.uk
- Agencies can also make client referrals through the website – https://www.citizensadvicesouthwark.org.uk/advice/generalist-agency-referral/
- Online information on benefits, debt, housing, employment, immigration, consumer, family, discrimination and health, can be accessed through the Citizens Advice Southwark website – www.citizensadvicesouthwark.org.uk
- Citizens Advice web chat service is also available for help: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/web-chat-service/
The agencies have said:
“We want to reassure people that we are all still here to help you, and that we are continuing to work hard to help you in the best way we possibly can in the current circumstances. We will continue to review official guidance and will provide further updates as and when circumstances change”.
Chris Green – Citizens Advice Southwark; Sally Causer – Southwark Law Centre; Anna Kouma – Migrant Legal Action; Gurminder Birdi – Cambridge House Law Centre.