Since the Prime Minister announced a second lockdown, and an extension to the furlough scheme, Citizens Advice has seen a huge surge in people searching for information on their national website.
Topics such as furlough, redundancy, applying for benefits and Coronavirus regulations have been trending as the unemployment rate goes up. This has led the team at Citizens Advice North Lancashire to appeal to residents to ask for help if they need it.
"Although our offices are closed due to the pandemic, we are very much open, just in a different way." says Helen Greatorex (pictured), Chief Officer. "Our teams of expert advisers in Lancaster and Morecambe are working on the phones to help residents with advice. If you need help or you are unsure where you stand about something please do get in touch."
Citizens Advice has traditionally offered advice services face-to-face from its offices on King Street in Lancaster and on Queen Street in Morecambe. Since the pandemic hit, staff have been working over the phone to provide help to clients on a huge range of issues from housing, debt, benefits, employment and consumer issues. Adam Gayton, Operations Manager, said: "Citizens Advice is a charity offering a free, independent and confidential service to any resident who needs it, so if you are worried about your situation you can phone our Adviceline team on 03444 889 622 on weekdays between 9 and 4 and we will advise you. We are aware that many people are facing difficult situations at the moment so we want to reassure people that if you've never called us before, don't worry - we are here to help!"
The national website www.citizensadvice.org.uk is also a useful source of information if people have questions about work, money, benefits or family issues.


Man accused of stealing joints of meat at Lancaster Asda by hiding them in his trousers
LISTEN and PHOTOS: Spectacular display of 12,000 poppies unveiled at Lancaster landmark
Eden Project Morecambe boss gives update on early stages of work on new £100m attraction
Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth Remembrance services announced
Road closures for pre-Tour de France work announced for Lancaster district
Lancaster rock guitarist braves beard shave for charity
Two arrests made after post office robbery in Lancaster
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra to perform concert for schools at Morecambe Winter Gardens
PHOTOS: Plans go in for major Lancaster regeneration scheme
Lancaster music venue's heartfelt message ahead of final night on New Year's Eve
Morecambe school named among one of England's most improved for attendance
Lancaster hospital nursing boss appointed to University of Cumbria honorary role
Morecambe Football Club placed under another embargo by the National League
£1.5m Lancaster scheme to boost water quality in River Lune is complete
Family pays tribute to Lancaster pensioner who died in road crash
Popular artist's print of Morecambe Bay Academy to be launched at alumni evening
Work set to begin on new Heysham skate park
Light Up Lancaster promises to illuminate city with ‘No Boundaries’
Sadness as Morecambe sports and social club suffers break-in on night of reopening
Man arrested after death of pensioner in Lancaster road crash

