ADVICE groups in the city have said they have seen a rise in demand for their services since the Government's welfare changes.
The centre with the biggest increase was in St Ann's where six people a day are being seen for help with their finances.
The centre normally has a waiting list of 10 to 15 clients, but in May alone they had 50 clients waiting to be allocated an appointment.
"We now offer late appointments at Bilborough and Bulwell on the Debt Advice Service to support people who are working", said Centre Manager Debbie Webster.
Meanwhile, the Nottingham and District Citizens Advice Bureau have seen growing numbers of people seeking advice in every area of welfare and benefits in April and May of this year compared to the same time last year.
Out of 225 clients the CAB saw in April and May 2013, 38 people – over one quarter of them – met advisors specifically to discuss the benefit changes.
Haleema Wahid, Advice Nottingham's Policy and Campaigns Officer said: "We remain committed to providing a joined-up approach to advice giving, efficiently responding to welfare changes in the city, and campaigning on social policy issues that disproportionately affect our clients."
The Government has said the changes to benefit – which include alterations to housing benefit and council tax benefit – are necessary to lower the welfare bill.
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