Bishops
Waltham & Meon Valley
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We publish a regular Advice Column in the Local Parish Magazines. Here you will find our articles from last three months. If any of the issues reported upon here affect you and you would like more information, contact your local CAB now.
My father died recently and we are having great trouble locating his will. We know he made one, but the solicitor he dealt with originally, and where the will was left for safekeeping, has gone out of business.
Start by checking to see if your father kept a copy of his will, and contact the Law Society to try and trace what happened to documents deposited with your father’s original solicitor. You could also check if your father’s will has been placed at the Principal; Registry of the Family Division of the High Court, a District Registry or Probate Sub- Registry for safe keeping. You can write to The York Probate Sub-Registry, 1st Floor, Castle Chambers, Clifford Street, York YO1 9RG (Tel: 01904 666777) to request a copy of a will by post. You will need to provide your father’s full name, date of death and last known address and pay a fee of £5. You can also make a personal search free of charge by going to the Principal Registry of the Family Division, Avenue House, 42-49 High Holborn, London WC1V 6NP (Tel: 020 7947 6000). If you want to inspect or take a coy of the will, there is a fee of £5. For more information about making a will or what to do when someone dies contact your local CAB at The Library, Bank Street, Bishop's Waltham, SO32 1AN, Tel. No. (01489) 896376 open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. We also run an advice surgery at Wickham Community Centre, Mill Lane, Wickham on Thursdays from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m, If this is not convenient, please note our Thursday evening appointments only session (from 4 to 7 p.m.) at the Bishop’s Waltham Bureau. You can also go to our local website www.bishopswalthamcab.org.uk or you can go to the national Citizens Advice website www.adviceguide.org.uk
We are currently recruiting volunteers to train as Advisors. If you are interested in becoming a CAB volunteer please contact us as above.
I have to take time off work to have a foot operation. Am I entitled to sick pay and how much will I get? You will be eligible for statutory sick pay (SSP) after you are off work for at least four days in a row and you earn more than £90 a week. This is the minimum amount you can be paid when you are off work sick, but your contract of employment may give you extra rights to more sick pay than this, so check your contract to see what you are entitled to. Most workers qualify for SSP, including part-time workers and workers on a fixed-term contract. Agency workers may also be entitled to SSP but should get advice as the legal situation is complicated. SSP can last for up to 28 weeks, and contractual sick pay may last for longer. Check your employment contract to see if this applies to you. If you cannot get SSP, or if you have been off sick for more that 28 weeks, your employer should give you form SSP1 and tell you why you cannot get SSP. You can use this form to claim incapacity benefit from your local benefit office if you are not entitled to either SSP or contractual sick pay. You will be paid either SSP, or, if your contract of employment gives you more pay when you are off sick, you will be paid what it says in your contract. This might not be your normal rate of pay, but it should not be less than SSP. SSP is paid at a fixed weekly rate of £75.40 if you work full-time, pro-rata for part-timers. If SSP is your only income whilst you are off sick you may be able to claim other benefits such as housing benefit. For more information on Sick pay and other benefits contact your local CAB at The Library, Bank Street, Bishop's Waltham, SO32 1AN, Tel. No. (01489) 896376 open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. We also run an advice surgery at Wickham Community Centre, Mill Lane, Wickham on Thursdays from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m, If this is not convenient, please note our Thursday evening appointments only session (from 4 to 7 p.m.) at the Bishop’s Waltham Bureau. You can also go to our local website www.bishopswalthamcab.org.uk or you can go to the national Citizens Advice website www.adviceguide.org.uk We are currently recruiting volunteers to train as Advisors. If you are interested in becoming a CAB volunteer please contact us as above.
When I took out my mortgage two years ago I could manage the payments without any trouble, but now the discount period has come to an end and the payments have shot up I’m really struggling. I may also be in danger of losing my job. Do you have any advice? Don’t panic, but do sit down and take a long, hard look at your finances. Do a budget (looking at all your incomings and outgoings, any savings and any debts) and try to plan ahead, looking at whether you can increase your income and/or cut back on any of your spending. For further information have a look at the Citizens Advice website www.adviceguide .org.uk Do prioritise your mortgage payments but don’t be tempted to take on more credit or debt with payment problems. Check whether you have mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI) and if so make sure your policy covers your circumstances. If you are thinking of taking out MPPI be careful – it can be costly and poor quality and won’t always give you the protection you need. Make sure you shop around and get independent financial advice. If you have already fallen behind with your payments, or you lose your job, let your lender know straight away. They should try and help you through temporary payment difficulties, for example by allowing you to pay interest only for a limited period. For more detailed information see our fact sheet on dealing with mortgage arrears on our web site. Get free, confidential, independent advice from the CAB without delay if you are in arrears and facing court action by your lender. For more information on dealing with financial matters contact your local CAB at The Library, Bank Street, Bishop's Waltham, SO32 1AN, Tel. No. (01489) 896376 open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. We also run an advice surgery at Wickham Community Centre, Mill Lane, Wickham on Thursdays from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m, If this is not convenient, please note our Thursday evening appointments only session (from 4 to 7 p.m.) at the Bishop’s Waltham Bureau. You can also go to our local website www.bishopswalthamcab.org.uk or you can go to the national Citizens Advice website www.adviceguide.org.uk |
