Dover, Deal & District Citizens Bureau recovered almost £450,000 for its clients over the past year.

In a report for the bureau’s annual meeting, held at Deal Town Hall, chairman Peter Gibson said the CAB, with bases in Deal, Dover and Sandwich, is proving “excellent value for money” for the grant aid it receives from the district council, its main source of funding.

He said: “Overall, in the financial year 2013-14, the bureau has succeeded in recovering a total of £449,000 for its clients (this is benefits secured either through appeals or money clients did not know they could get) while the value of hours contributed by our volunteers amounts to £332,450.”

Mr Gibson added: “This means that the economy of the district has benefited to the tune of £781,000.

Mr Gibson said the CAB is increasingly having to help with the Dover and Deal
food banks.

He said: “The CAB offices in Deal and Dover have continued in their support of the local food banks. Both offices are collection points for donations of food and both issue vouchers to clients who, faced with a financial crisis, are in danger of having nothing to eat.”

Among those at the annual meeting was Clair Hawkins, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Dover and Deal, who said afterwards: “A very strong message came from the meeting that despite what the government may tell you, things are not getting any better.

“But with far too many people in Dover and Deal going hungry due to benefit delays, debt problems and unfair sanctions, it is reassuring that Citizens Advice continues to offer support and stand up for local people in difficult situations.”

Next week’s Mercury has a special feature about the Dover, Deal & District benefits specialists.