Citizens Advice chelmsford

Adviceline

telephone advice

When you call ...

Our telephone Adviceline is staffed by a dedicated team of trained volunteers.  We can help you resolve your problem.

Our Adviceline number is 0800 144 88 48 or Textphone: 0800 144 88 84. Advisers are usually available at the following times:

Monday:09:00 – 17:00
Tuesday:09:00 – 17:00
Wednesday:09:00 – 17:00
Thursday:09:00 – 17:00
Friday:09:00 – 17:00
Saturday:Closed
Sunday:Closed

Please note: The Adviceline number is a national number, so your call might not be answered by the Chelmsford office. However, all Citizens Advice volunteers are trained to help. If further advice is needed, then Adviceline will ask the Chelmsford office to contact you.

Calls to 0800 numbers are free from a landline or mobile.

Initial Assessment

An Information Assistant will go through an Initial Assessment form with you to check:

  • what you need help with
  • if your problem can be solved with self-help
  • if we are the right service to support you going forward

They will then give you information, point you to the right service for your needs, or make an appointment with an Adviser if it’s appropriate.

Appointments

Appointments with Advisers are reserved for people who aren’t able to resolve their problems through self-help, or for people who have complex problems.

Appointments are for set periods of time, and may be in person or by telephone.

During an appointment, an Adviser will explore the problem in more detail, and talk about the options available – helping to take action if it’s appropriate to do so. This could involve filling in a form, or making a call on your behalf.

Appointments can’t be offered for some cases where legal regulations require professional or specialist advice, or if we are at maximum capacity.

Why we are working this way

As a charity run mostly by volunteers, our resources are limited, and a lot of people want to talk to us.

By working this way, we can speak to more people, and make sure that everyone gets the help they need, and the right level of support.

Our staff and volunteers know our service well, and are best-placed to decide if ours is the right service to help.

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