Citizens Advice Central Dorset
@centraldorsetca.bsky.social
Dorchester, Sherborne, North Dorset, Weymouth & Portland Citizens Advice offering free, confidential, impartial and independent information and advice.
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Welcome to Citizens Advice Central Dorset. Contact details and opening times for our offices and outreaches can be found on the Dorchester, Gillingham, Sherborne and Weymouth & Portland contact pages. www.centraldorsetca.org.uk
Help is available over the Christmas period.
Here are some phone numbers that you may find useful ⤵️
Here are some phone numbers that you may find useful ⤵️
December 23, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Help is available over the Christmas period.
Here are some phone numbers that you may find useful ⤵️
Here are some phone numbers that you may find useful ⤵️
Do you need emergency food? @trusselluk food banks offer emergency food parcels with at least 3 days of food and essentials.
Find out how to get a food voucher and access support ⤵️
bit.ly/4gmybNw
Find out how to get a food voucher and access support ⤵️
bit.ly/4gmybNw
December 23, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Do you need emergency food? @trusselluk food banks offer emergency food parcels with at least 3 days of food and essentials.
Find out how to get a food voucher and access support ⤵️
bit.ly/4gmybNw
Find out how to get a food voucher and access support ⤵️
bit.ly/4gmybNw
It's important to know your working rights for the bank holidays.
Find out if you have to work or what pay you are entitled to.
Our advice can help ⤵️
bit.ly/4mgLhPd
Find out if you have to work or what pay you are entitled to.
Our advice can help ⤵️
bit.ly/4mgLhPd
December 22, 2025 at 8:30 AM
It's important to know your working rights for the bank holidays.
Find out if you have to work or what pay you are entitled to.
Our advice can help ⤵️
bit.ly/4mgLhPd
Find out if you have to work or what pay you are entitled to.
Our advice can help ⤵️
bit.ly/4mgLhPd
You might be able to claim extra benefits if you have a child, such as Child Benefit or Universal Credit.
And there’s government approved schemes to help you pay for childcare.
Check what you’re entitled to ⤵️
bit.ly/4flTLlA
And there’s government approved schemes to help you pay for childcare.
Check what you’re entitled to ⤵️
bit.ly/4flTLlA
December 19, 2025 at 8:30 AM
You might be able to claim extra benefits if you have a child, such as Child Benefit or Universal Credit.
And there’s government approved schemes to help you pay for childcare.
Check what you’re entitled to ⤵️
bit.ly/4flTLlA
And there’s government approved schemes to help you pay for childcare.
Check what you’re entitled to ⤵️
bit.ly/4flTLlA
If you can’t afford the food you need there are food banks that can help.
✅ You’ll usually need to get a referral to a food bank before you can use it.
We’ve got advice on the process ⤵️
bit.ly/4dcdJxO
✅ You’ll usually need to get a referral to a food bank before you can use it.
We’ve got advice on the process ⤵️
bit.ly/4dcdJxO
December 18, 2025 at 8:30 AM
If you can’t afford the food you need there are food banks that can help.
✅ You’ll usually need to get a referral to a food bank before you can use it.
We’ve got advice on the process ⤵️
bit.ly/4dcdJxO
✅ You’ll usually need to get a referral to a food bank before you can use it.
We’ve got advice on the process ⤵️
bit.ly/4dcdJxO
You might be able to get Statutory Sick Pay when you're off work sick.
We can help you understand your rights.
Read more on our website ⤵️
bit.ly/3VApndU
We can help you understand your rights.
Read more on our website ⤵️
bit.ly/3VApndU
December 17, 2025 at 8:30 AM
You might be able to get Statutory Sick Pay when you're off work sick.
We can help you understand your rights.
Read more on our website ⤵️
bit.ly/3VApndU
We can help you understand your rights.
Read more on our website ⤵️
bit.ly/3VApndU
💭 It can be difficult to talk to a loved one about their gambling problem.
But there are ways to address it and get support for them.
Here’s what steps you can take ⤵️
bit.ly/4iUOLpJ
But there are ways to address it and get support for them.
Here’s what steps you can take ⤵️
bit.ly/4iUOLpJ
December 16, 2025 at 8:30 AM
💭 It can be difficult to talk to a loved one about their gambling problem.
But there are ways to address it and get support for them.
Here’s what steps you can take ⤵️
bit.ly/4iUOLpJ
But there are ways to address it and get support for them.
Here’s what steps you can take ⤵️
bit.ly/4iUOLpJ
There’s several reasons why your energy bill could be higher than you expected.
➡️ Your meter might be faulty or your energy supplier might have overcharged you.
Our advice can help ⤵️
bit.ly/4iRpRqP
➡️ Your meter might be faulty or your energy supplier might have overcharged you.
Our advice can help ⤵️
bit.ly/4iRpRqP
December 15, 2025 at 8:30 AM
There’s several reasons why your energy bill could be higher than you expected.
➡️ Your meter might be faulty or your energy supplier might have overcharged you.
Our advice can help ⤵️
bit.ly/4iRpRqP
➡️ Your meter might be faulty or your energy supplier might have overcharged you.
Our advice can help ⤵️
bit.ly/4iRpRqP
You have the right to take time off work in certain circumstances - these are called 'statutory rights'.
This time off might be paid leave or unpaid leave.
Check your work rights ⤵️
bit.ly/455NZQb
This time off might be paid leave or unpaid leave.
Check your work rights ⤵️
bit.ly/455NZQb
December 12, 2025 at 8:30 AM
You have the right to take time off work in certain circumstances - these are called 'statutory rights'.
This time off might be paid leave or unpaid leave.
Check your work rights ⤵️
bit.ly/455NZQb
This time off might be paid leave or unpaid leave.
Check your work rights ⤵️
bit.ly/455NZQb
❄️ Will you be travelling to Europe this winter?
Check your passport is valid for the dates you’re travelling.
Our advice can help you ⤵️
bit.ly/457SkSY
Check your passport is valid for the dates you’re travelling.
Our advice can help you ⤵️
bit.ly/457SkSY
December 11, 2025 at 8:30 AM
❄️ Will you be travelling to Europe this winter?
Check your passport is valid for the dates you’re travelling.
Our advice can help you ⤵️
bit.ly/457SkSY
Check your passport is valid for the dates you’re travelling.
Our advice can help you ⤵️
bit.ly/457SkSY
When you’ve missed a council tax payment, it means you owe money to your council and are in ‘arrears’.
Make sure you contact your council to explain your situation if you can’t pay.
We’ve got advice on what steps you can take. Check the link in bio 🔗
bit.ly/4pfAs1c
Make sure you contact your council to explain your situation if you can’t pay.
We’ve got advice on what steps you can take. Check the link in bio 🔗
bit.ly/4pfAs1c
December 10, 2025 at 9:05 AM
When you’ve missed a council tax payment, it means you owe money to your council and are in ‘arrears’.
Make sure you contact your council to explain your situation if you can’t pay.
We’ve got advice on what steps you can take. Check the link in bio 🔗
bit.ly/4pfAs1c
Make sure you contact your council to explain your situation if you can’t pay.
We’ve got advice on what steps you can take. Check the link in bio 🔗
bit.ly/4pfAs1c
If you’re threatened with homelessness, it’s usually worth applying to your local council for help.
They might be able to help you stay in your home or find an alternative place to live.
Check our advice ⤵️
bit.ly/4pKZsNE
They might be able to help you stay in your home or find an alternative place to live.
Check our advice ⤵️
bit.ly/4pKZsNE
December 10, 2025 at 8:30 AM
If you’re threatened with homelessness, it’s usually worth applying to your local council for help.
They might be able to help you stay in your home or find an alternative place to live.
Check our advice ⤵️
bit.ly/4pKZsNE
They might be able to help you stay in your home or find an alternative place to live.
Check our advice ⤵️
bit.ly/4pKZsNE
If you’ve been scammed it’s important you take steps to:
➡️ Protect yourself from further risks
➡️ Check if you can get your money back
➡️ Report the scam
Find out more ⤵️
bit.ly/44MuoFb
➡️ Protect yourself from further risks
➡️ Check if you can get your money back
➡️ Report the scam
Find out more ⤵️
bit.ly/44MuoFb
December 9, 2025 at 8:30 AM
If you’ve been scammed it’s important you take steps to:
➡️ Protect yourself from further risks
➡️ Check if you can get your money back
➡️ Report the scam
Find out more ⤵️
bit.ly/44MuoFb
➡️ Protect yourself from further risks
➡️ Check if you can get your money back
➡️ Report the scam
Find out more ⤵️
bit.ly/44MuoFb
Are you worried about your finances and need help?
✅ You should always start by checking if you can get any benefits.
Our online advice can help you navigate this ⤵️
bit.ly/4pK77vN
✅ You should always start by checking if you can get any benefits.
Our online advice can help you navigate this ⤵️
bit.ly/4pK77vN
December 8, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Are you worried about your finances and need help?
✅ You should always start by checking if you can get any benefits.
Our online advice can help you navigate this ⤵️
bit.ly/4pK77vN
✅ You should always start by checking if you can get any benefits.
Our online advice can help you navigate this ⤵️
bit.ly/4pK77vN
Check out this month’s article on page 55.
December 5, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Check out this month’s article on page 55.
Reposted by Citizens Advice Central Dorset
Most households subject to the two-child limit already have at least one adult in work.
Of the minority of households that are not in work, more than nine-in-ten have a child under three or a disabled family member with additional care needs, making any return to the labour market challenging.
Of the minority of households that are not in work, more than nine-in-ten have a child under three or a disabled family member with additional care needs, making any return to the labour market challenging.
December 5, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Most households subject to the two-child limit already have at least one adult in work.
Of the minority of households that are not in work, more than nine-in-ten have a child under three or a disabled family member with additional care needs, making any return to the labour market challenging.
Of the minority of households that are not in work, more than nine-in-ten have a child under three or a disabled family member with additional care needs, making any return to the labour market challenging.
🚄 Has your train journey been delayed or cancelled?
You might be able to get a refund or compensation.
Check what you’re entitled to ⤵️
bit.ly/4pDNiX5
You might be able to get a refund or compensation.
Check what you’re entitled to ⤵️
bit.ly/4pDNiX5
December 5, 2025 at 8:30 AM
🚄 Has your train journey been delayed or cancelled?
You might be able to get a refund or compensation.
Check what you’re entitled to ⤵️
bit.ly/4pDNiX5
You might be able to get a refund or compensation.
Check what you’re entitled to ⤵️
bit.ly/4pDNiX5
Reposted by Citizens Advice Central Dorset
UK’s new digital-only immigration system creating exclusion and fear, study finds
UK’s new digital-only immigration system creating exclusion and fear, study finds
Obtaining an eVisa to prove their status or right to legally reside in Britain is causing migrants high levels of stress
The UK’s new digital-only immigration system is creating stress, fear and exclusion for immigrants who rely on their status, a new report has found.
The digitalisation of immigration status began in 2018 and in the middle of this year the government set out that nearly all migrants entering or legally residing in the UK would have to obtain an eVisa to prove their rights. This would make them the first migrants to experience a mandatory digital-only identification system. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:10 AM
UK’s new digital-only immigration system creating exclusion and fear, study finds
You might be able to claim benefits if:
➡️ You have difficulty with everyday tasks or getting around
➡️ You can’t work because you’re sick or disabled
Our online advice can help you ⤵️
bit.ly/3ztxnWl
➡️ You have difficulty with everyday tasks or getting around
➡️ You can’t work because you’re sick or disabled
Our online advice can help you ⤵️
bit.ly/3ztxnWl
December 4, 2025 at 8:30 AM
You might be able to claim benefits if:
➡️ You have difficulty with everyday tasks or getting around
➡️ You can’t work because you’re sick or disabled
Our online advice can help you ⤵️
bit.ly/3ztxnWl
➡️ You have difficulty with everyday tasks or getting around
➡️ You can’t work because you’re sick or disabled
Our online advice can help you ⤵️
bit.ly/3ztxnWl
Reviewing your subscriptions?
You can stop unwanted 'continuous payments', like for a gym or magazine, by contacting your bank or card issuer directly.
Find out more ⤵️
bit.ly/4pDPU7m
You can stop unwanted 'continuous payments', like for a gym or magazine, by contacting your bank or card issuer directly.
Find out more ⤵️
bit.ly/4pDPU7m
December 3, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Reviewing your subscriptions?
You can stop unwanted 'continuous payments', like for a gym or magazine, by contacting your bank or card issuer directly.
Find out more ⤵️
bit.ly/4pDPU7m
You can stop unwanted 'continuous payments', like for a gym or magazine, by contacting your bank or card issuer directly.
Find out more ⤵️
bit.ly/4pDPU7m
Your employer should pay you on time for the work you’ve done on your agreed pay day.
We can help you understand your work rights ⤵️
bit.ly/45ntE9f
We can help you understand your work rights ⤵️
bit.ly/45ntE9f
December 2, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Your employer should pay you on time for the work you’ve done on your agreed pay day.
We can help you understand your work rights ⤵️
bit.ly/45ntE9f
We can help you understand your work rights ⤵️
bit.ly/45ntE9f
💡 Did you know you can apply to be added to your electricity network’s priority support register?
Your suppliers might agree to send you bills in large print or braille, or to another person like a family member or carer.
Find more advice on our website, click in the bio.
bit.ly/4oYvAgQ
Your suppliers might agree to send you bills in large print or braille, or to another person like a family member or carer.
Find more advice on our website, click in the bio.
bit.ly/4oYvAgQ
December 1, 2025 at 8:48 AM
💡 Did you know you can apply to be added to your electricity network’s priority support register?
Your suppliers might agree to send you bills in large print or braille, or to another person like a family member or carer.
Find more advice on our website, click in the bio.
bit.ly/4oYvAgQ
Your suppliers might agree to send you bills in large print or braille, or to another person like a family member or carer.
Find more advice on our website, click in the bio.
bit.ly/4oYvAgQ
🏠 If you share a house with someone, it’s important that you understand how your tenancy is organised.
This can impact your rights and responsibilities.
Our online advice can help you ⤵️
bit.ly/3Us0jVY
This can impact your rights and responsibilities.
Our online advice can help you ⤵️
bit.ly/3Us0jVY
December 1, 2025 at 8:30 AM
🏠 If you share a house with someone, it’s important that you understand how your tenancy is organised.
This can impact your rights and responsibilities.
Our online advice can help you ⤵️
bit.ly/3Us0jVY
This can impact your rights and responsibilities.
Our online advice can help you ⤵️
bit.ly/3Us0jVY
There are some steps you can take to stop getting nuisance calls and texts that you don’t want.
You can register for free with the Telephone Preference Service to reduce nuisance calls.
Check our advice ⤵️
bit.ly/44cE8cf
You can register for free with the Telephone Preference Service to reduce nuisance calls.
Check our advice ⤵️
bit.ly/44cE8cf
November 28, 2025 at 8:30 AM
There are some steps you can take to stop getting nuisance calls and texts that you don’t want.
You can register for free with the Telephone Preference Service to reduce nuisance calls.
Check our advice ⤵️
bit.ly/44cE8cf
You can register for free with the Telephone Preference Service to reduce nuisance calls.
Check our advice ⤵️
bit.ly/44cE8cf
