THE number of clients going to advice charity West Devon Citizens Advice Bureau for guidance has risen by 15% in the last 12 months according to its advice trend statistics for the first six-months of the financial year.

The charity has helped 15% more clients when compared to the same period in 2015. Enquiry areas such as debt, housing and benefits are also becoming more common as the demand for advice in the area increases.

The biggest increase was in issues relating to housing, which rose by 21%. Over the past six months, there has been a steady increase in clients who are disabled (up 6%), with more than 40% of all clients see by the charity’s West Devon offices now having a form of disability.

Due to this increase, welfare benefit issues are up by 17% and benefits that support those too sick or disabled to work, have gone up by as much as 57%.

The charity supports those who would benefit from welfare support to claim what they are entitled to, in order to help their quality of life. Compared to the same period last year, West Devon residents have been awarded an additional £260,000 worth of support which is brought into the local economy.

In and around West Devon, the charity has noticed a sharp increase in people needing debt advice, with those in need of assistance with council tax arrears up 38% and the number of people with credit and store card debt doubling. Throughout the district they have seen a decline in the amount of people presenting with water rates arrears, which is down by 39%.

The charity uses these statistics to help identify common problems that are directly affecting people’s lives. They then use this evidence to help campaign for change at a national and local level to help make society fairer. This time last year, the most common piece of evidence was in relation to benefits. This year, given the rise in housing enquiries, it has been replaced with private sector rented property issues.

If you have an issue you would like help resolving, call Citizens Advice on 03444 111 444 or pop into your local office for free, confidential advice and support.

All offices can be found online at www.ruraldevoncab.org.uk