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Citizens Advice Hartlepool, based in Park Road, is currently closed to face to face enquiries, but staff are still helping people by phone and email.

Managers say they are dealing with a large number of queries from people whose work has been affected by the coronavirus crisis and the Government lockdown.

It follows announcements by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak that the Government will pay 80% of workers’ salary, up to £2,500 a month, including the self-employed.

Joe Michna of Citizens Advice Hartlepool which is continuing to help people during the coronavirus restrictions by email and phone.

Joe Michna, manager of Citizens Advice Hartlepool, said: “Probably the biggest area of calls we are getting at the moment are work-related to do with the Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and employees’ 80% subsidy.

“We are getting a lot more than we normally would from people saying they have been furloughed or laid off.

“At the moment there’s a lot of misunderstanding. A lot of people think they are going to get the money next week.

“A lot of what we are doing is explaining what the process and procedure is, who qualifies and how people will be able to apply.”

Calls are being redirected to service staff who are working from home.

The service continues to get calls for debt advice and help with Universal Credit, which coronavirus is also affecting as claimants cannot attend reassessments or jobcentre appointments.

Grants and financial support has also been unveiled for businesses.

Hartlepool council chiefs say helping businesses hit by coronavirus is their top...

Mr Michna added: “We are doing our best to try to respond to as many enquiries as we can. It’s always difficult over the telephone than face to face.

“We’re trying to get the message out that although we are restricted face to face for obvious reasons we are still here by telephone and email.

“We still want to help and can help on many occasions.”

For general advice call (01429) 408401 or 0300330 9005. For help around Universal Credit people should call (01429) 408402 or 0800 144 8444.

Contact the service by email at [email protected] or [email protected]

Citizens Advice Hartlepool boss says 'we're still here' as it helps increasing number of workers affected by coronavirus