Citizensadvice Reviews 

I am 80 going through rough time illness etc my adult daughter who is learning disabled is now having to change to Universal Credit
This of course is a nightmare for me I’m not myself at all I was advised by social worker to ring Citizens Advice and am so glad I did I was contacted by a superb man called Ed who took over the whole process and contacted UC and we filled out forms together
God definitely listened to my prayer I felt as if someone me really cared I cannot thank Ed and indeed Raymond from UC Enough My daughter has not received her benefits
yet but the task has been dealt with by these splendid hero’s
May God Bless them

The advisor I spoke with was patient, empathetic, and took nearly an hour to listen to the details of my case. They demonstrated a clear and immediate grasp of the technical aspects of my problem. This was incredibly validating and made me feel that I had a knowledgeable ally.

The service also provided some useful general guidance which helped confirm the procedural steps I needed to follow. However, as the case progressed to its final stage, the support became less effective. The main issue was that the final advice was based on a superficial reading of an email. It failed to engage with the core, evidence-based points of my problem.

The advice I received seemed to accept a defensive narrative at face value and suggested a path forward that was, in our opinion, strategically flawed and did not reflect the true nature of my case, which is now about systemic maladministration, not just the original issue.

While I believe Citizens Advice Scotland provides a vital and well-intentioned service, and my initial experience was very positive, their support is perhaps best suited for more straightforward cases. For a deeply complex, evidence-heavy case like mine, the final advice lacked the necessary depth and forensic analysis, ultimately leaving me to navigate the most critical strategic decisions on my own. A helpful service, but one with limitations.

I volunteered for 14 years with the Witness Service, most of those under CA. Thames Valley had a manager who made false accusations about volunteers who then went on to resign in disgust at the way they were treated..to date I'm aware of 15 people. CA 'ticked boxes' in the complaints procedure, but refused to acknowledge a problem and investigate. I don't feel that they should be offering advice that they don't adhere to themselves, it doesn't seem ethical.

Thank you, Chapeltown office.
As always, great.
CLI-1398679
The lady I talked to on the phone was amazing, as in other times when I needed help, and others did the same in other times.

They are simply useless in person or on the phone. Really don't waste your time.

bloody useless. the thing ringing in the background are your phones; try picking them up. Face-to-face is no better; if they dont have internet, they can't help. but don't worry; they will give you the black hole citizens advice phone number to call so you can be soothed by plinky music. you will never talk to anybody but the plinky music on a endless repeat is great.

On hold for over an hr 3 times and no one ever answers. Absolute joke. Even tired the online chat option and no one ever responds

80% ONE STAR REVIEWS,WE ARE ALL DOOMED IF YOU CANNOT CONTACT CAB,VERY POOR SERVICE.
COUNTRY FINNSHED TWENTY YEARS AGO.

No issues at all and quite helpful when I rang. I rang more to report a company to trading standards (see my wonderprice review). I didn't wait long on the phone and the advisor was helpful, and offered me help with the situation. I ultimately turned down the assistance as I am resolving the situation through credit card chargeback.

Originally, I thought it a bit annoying that trading standards funnel your issues through citizens advice. That said I suppose it makes sense, if Citizens Advice are helping resolve the situation, then they can also vet the merits of passing a case onto Trading Standards or not.

Extremely sad to say, that my visit to the Hawick bureau for help was just so depressing & unbearable that it makes you feel like it's hard to breathe!
I went here desperate for help last week with one of many incredibly stressful problems. After arriving inside & not finding any notices or instructions what to do on arrival, i stood & waited patiently at the closed reception window, where I could see one lady sitting with her back turned, staring at a computer screen & enjoying a nice big apple!
I must have waited around 15 minutes before the lady turned around to look & see me, (but only because she was distracted by another colleague appearing), she then came over to the reception window & proceeded to try to have have an almost impossible conversation with me through the closed window, while music was playing from a player hanging on the wall directly behind my head! I couldn't even hear myself think! never mind trying to hear the lady.
I was already beginning to feel a little more stressed, & after explaining to the lady that i couldn't hear her, she finally came out the office & into the reception area to speak to me face to face, only to be told that "they didn't cover people from my area", Despite the fact that i live in Roxburghshire! & that Hawick is in Roxburghshire! & that their own web page clearly states they cover Roxburghshire! This was so ridiculous, frustrating and the let down just too much to take.
While being in a state of disbelief about being told this, & emphasising that i lived in Roxburghshire, the lady just kept referring me to another bureau out with Roxburghshire & saying that "we cant help", so that was that!
This is all the more unbelievable because i recall years ago walking into their Dundas Street Bureau, all the way up in Edinburgh, (35 miles away), and receiving help with another similar issue without any problem whatsoever regarding not living in the Lothian area!
After walking out in a bewildered, confused, upset & even more depressed state than when i went in, and as this just felt so very wrong, & after starting to wonder about this lack of help for others from this local Bureau, who people in Roxburghshire would no doubt expect support from, i wondered into MP john Lamont office to raise this & see if our local MP had a view, or would be at all concerned to here about this lack of help & support for potentially vulnerable people in the Roxburgh area. Waiting to see if i get any reply on that one, but not so sure it will make much difference even if i do.
I'm incredibly slow at typing & my concentrations very poor at best, so it's taken me all day just to put this review together, time i certainly shouldn't have to feel the need to waste on this, but as instances like this are ridiculously far to common & just add to people's stress unnecessarily, it has to be said & judging by the incredibly low rating this bureau seems to have, it looks like there are many other potentially desperate people also feeling let down by this! Bureau.
I've only just discovered by chance that apparently every one of Scotland's Citizens Advice Bureaus recently received large amounts of funding, apparently being described by them as "a game changer", so surely funding can't be a reason for this sudden restriction of help to the chosen few.
I'm just wondering if citizens advice Hawick rely only wants people from Hawick town walking into their bureau, & maybe everyone else in the Roxburgh area is expected to just go elsewhere for help! Maybe the rest of us are just not deserving or good enough! or maybe the real reason I was refused help was because i just didn't bring them a "nice big red juicy apple to chew on"!
"Unbearable"!

Not helpful at all in fact you might as well help yourself to be honest and, if you have half a brain . Ive been going to the Havant branch and basically it seems that it makes things ten times worse . the last time i had a problem i gave up , i was going there for weeks and weeks and constantly asking for bank statements which in the end all they were interested in is what you got or didnt have . Im shore they take statements home and pass them around . Even now one of the supervisors says they will ask for bank statements what ever problem you have . She always mentions bank statement because she likes to try and make your visit even worse and belittle you . The supervisors name is Racheal and theres another one called Racheal Racket . the time i had problems before i ended up going to Job Centre and seeing an ESA adviser as ide had my benefit stopped .

Citizen advice Liverpool useless. Stop funding. Calls getting disconnected, more than hour waiting on calls, no drop in anymore after Covid.No more Covid but no drop ins. Write to your local MP. Any issues we ask they simply say contact solicitors or we can’t help. Lazy staff.

I contacted Citzens advice,I just wanted them to confirm do i need to have a Smart Meter for electric, as my current Electric Meter now needs to be replaced due to age.
I was sent a reply email, to advise that i need to contact my energy company & fill in & tick forms!
Who funds Citzens advice? As much use a chocolate teapot!

Please STOP funding this branch of Citizens Advice in Kingston upon Thames. They are hiding behind the closed doors of the building, there is no visible doorbell or indication of which floor they are on. And if you do manage to get inside, you're told they can't see you because there’s no admin available to book an appointment, so you're asked to go home and call them instead.
Guess what? They don’t answer the phone.
When I mentioned that, in this case, I would go to another branch, they told me I’m not allowed to. So the question is: why is this charity funding a branch that offers no real help when your main purpose is -"help everyone who needs it with practical advice you can really trust"?

This service should be called "Citizens no advice" it really is a sham. The merry go round which is the ansamachine is enough to put you into therapy even worse if you are put on hold waiting to speak to an adviser. If you value your mental health..... give up!

I ave advice and help befoure in falmounth and truro peplos ar very helpfull cristian and umanitaryes , now some thing is broken in this free service ,yes free service svhud them not ave any obligacion to help as for free , but now them sistem is broken to , falmounth brunch not do anymore face to face only phone call, and i found difficolt to dpeeck to some one , they aven this ultimste blsdy wanser machine the keep repited them self in till you not put done the phone , i found very spucky and frustate specciali peplos like me dileng whyd cancer and aven death isues and risk go be take way every thing ftom this scambarts off bayleft , is any one gk sogestions au to speek someo efscetk face??

I remember a time when the Citizens Advice Bureau was a fast, efficient public service that helped countless people across the country. I used their services years ago in England and was genuinely impressed by how quickly and effectively they operated.

Unfortunately, my recent experience has been disappointing. There seem to be far fewer staff available, and the wait times are incredibly long. Reaching them by phone is almost impossible, and securing an appointment can take forever. It’s a far cry from the dependable support I once knew.

It’s frustrating to see such a vital service struggling. I hope things improve, as many people rely on Citizens Advice for essential guidance and support.

I am quite saddened to see the low reviews because overall, I personally had a good experience with CA.

I was in email correspondence with CA Consumer Service regarding an issue I had with an accommodation agent and their principal/client.

I found the CA email address and because it is a complicated issue, I wanted written advice so I emailed CA (instead of speaking over the phone).
Understandably CA have lots of queries to look through, but overall Liam and Sarah were brilliant. They took care to read through the details of my concern, understood my concern, and advised me accordingly. The issue was tricky because my bank is now also involved and one party was blaming the other and incorrectly denying liability.

I am confident in progressing this issue, even if it means me having to take legal action against the companies.

Thank you citizens advice.

Speaking to a certain CAB specialist(Steve) , I found them quite rude, always talking down to me and questioning what I said. Constantly talking down to me like I was a peasant. I felt very judged by him and was feeling very happy when the call ended, I really hope I don’t speak to him again was such a awkward moment and the worst customer experience I’ve ever had

Passive aggressive, jumping to conclusions, office seemed empty of clients but still tried to fob me off with the internet and phone service several times, I would give five stars to the helpful volunteer who gave me the info I needed but the passive aggressive experience cancelled that out. One star.

WOW! What a great experience via telephone call to EASTBOURNE Citizens Advice Bureau! I had occasion to contact CAB this morning and dealt with Neil, who described himself as a "gateway" advisor. Thank you, Neil, for your professional demeanor and comprehensive understanding.
Best thing I have done since arriving in Eastbourne from South Africa! I look forward to receiving further assistance offered.