Advice NI charity received 86,000 inquiries since start of coronavirus pandemic

By Q Radio News

Advice NI says it has received 86,000 inquiries since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The charity's Covid-19 Community Helpline was set up during the pandemic to give advice and administer food parcels.

It also provided communities with heating assistance through the fuel payment scheme.

Advice NI CEO Bob Stronge says "never before in history" has the charity dealt with so many calls.

"We received an unprecedented number of calls to the helpline, many heart-breaking stories from people frightened and unable either physically or financially to access food.

"Never before in the history of our organisation have we had to deal with so many requests from people in urgent need. 

"The extraordinary amount of queries we dealt with and the numbers of people we helped during the pandemic are the perfect examples of just how vital free and independent advice services are today."

For anyone struggling with debt/money issues, needing immigration or tax & benefits advice, Freephone the Advice NI helpline on 0800 915 4604.