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Forum Home  →  Discussion  →  Covid-19 issues  →  Thread

CAB "Help to Claim" service - do they have access to intepreters on the national line?

JPCHC
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Cardinal Hume Centre - Welfare Rights

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Joined: 24 November 2014

Does anyone know whether you can get an interpreter if you call the CAB’s “Help to Claim” service? We are struggling with remote advice on making claims where English is a second language.  It’s usually just about manageable face-to-face but on the phone it’s a bit of a disaster! Thanks in advance

metahome
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Citizen's Advice Reading

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Yes… Citizens Advice Help to claim have ability to conference an interpreter from language line onto the call.

JPCHC
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Cardinal Hume Centre - Welfare Rights

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Total Posts: 186

Joined: 24 November 2014

That’s good to know - thanks!

RichB
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WRO - City of Edinburgh Council

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For the reasons outlined here in respect of the Help to Claim service and date of claim
https://www.nawra.org.uk/2019/06/date-of-claim-for-uc-nawras-letter-to-the-secretary-of-state-for-work-and-pensions/
I have continued to request that UC call the client back with an interpreter but often you need to try a few times before you find an agreeable member of staff as many UC staff ask you to use Help to Claim.

Anyone found a magic solution to making such requests?

seand
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Welfare rights officer - Wheatley Homes

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My solution has just been the same as yours -  when directed towards the Help to Claim service, sigh, hang up then try calling again.

Owen_Stevens
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UC Adviser, CPAG

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This post might be of interest for readers of this thread: https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/14472/P60/#74420