DEVON County Council is encouraging people and businesses to get help if they are struggling with bills, debts or tax credits. �35,000 has been allocated to the Devon Welfare Rights Unit following the Weathering the Storm economic conference which was h

DEVON County Council is encouraging people and businesses to get help if they are struggling with bills, debts or tax credits.

�35,000 has been allocated to the Devon Welfare Rights Unit following the 'Weathering the Storm' economic conference which was held earlier this year at County Hall.

The Devon Welfare Rights Unit is a specialist benefits service of Citizens Advice which provides dedicated advice and information to self employed people, employers and employees of small businesses(less than 20 employees) to make sure they are getting access to all the benefits and tax credits to which they are entitled.

Executive Member for Economic Regeneration and Strategic Planning, William Mumford says; "There has been a substantial increase in the number of people seeking benefits advice and we feel it's vital that Citizens Advice have as much help as possible to keep up with demand.

"The Devon economy tends to be dominated by small to medium sized businesses, often it can the these sized businesses which are most at risk.

"We understand that many people will be worrying about perhaps their job situation or mortgage repayments so we really would encourage people to not suffer in silence, make an appointment and talk to the professionals."

A specialist help line has been set up on (0845) 605 6002. The Devon Welfare Rights unit can also be emailed on dwru@citizensadvice.org.uk or for more information, go to www.dwru.org

Individuals will be able to talk to an advisor about anything from redundancy to childcare costs, help with a tax credits claims or help with re-training.

Small businesses can also get help on making sure they have access to business support services, training or coping with reduced hours of work. Individual appointments in the workplace or at home can be arranged.