On Your Behalf

Listener Ed got in touch when he got a parking ticket for charging his electric car in a free car park. On his behalf we found out the rules around EV parking charges and asked an expert how widespread the problem is.

The trustee of a charity based in Northern Ireland got in touch when they were told their charity bank account would be closed and they couldn’t find another bank willing to accept them. We ask NICVA chief executive Seamus McAleavey if charities are being squeezed out of the banking sector.

Credit Unions in England are offering interest free loans to non-members in an attempt to encourage saving, but a similar scheme won’t run in Northern Ireland. Gordon Smyth of the Ulster Federation of Credit Unions explains why.

Brenda Kearns of Age NI explains why it’s not too late for pensioners to claim and make sure they’re eligible for the emergency cost of living payments.

Consumer rights guru Jimmy Hughes guides us through a selection of listeners’ rights issues – from mattress complaints and second hand cars to artificial grass and Star Wars collectibles.

One listener asks how to find out if tax rebate agents who take a cut of your money are legitimate, HMRC have the answers.

For anyone eligible, Emergency Cost of Living Payments should begin to arrive this week. Matt Cole of Advice NI talks us through who’s entitled to get one, what they’ll get and when it’ll arrive. If you aren’t in line to receive one, Matt also has advice on what other support is available.

We speak to a woman from Ukraine who has recently settled in Northern Ireland. What support is available for people arriving here to set up bank accounts and access health and education services? Diversity NI, who offer translation services, explain their role in helping new arrivals, and the Law Centre detail their work helping Ukrainians with visas and immigration issues.

Linda meets the inventor of the Accessoloo, a mobile toilet and changing facility built in Northern Ireland and helping events all over the UK and Europe improve accessibility. Stendhal Festival’s Accessibility Manager, Emma Cassidy, explains how the festival is making it easier for those with additional needs to get around the site, and Keith Miller of Help Musicians explains how the charity has been supporting those working in the arts.

Independent Financial Advisor Alice Gavin is in the OYB studio to talk about pensions and managing your money.

Following up on last week’s focus on scams, we’ve an interview with someone who rented a house in Donegal that doesn’t exist; yet the social media platform won’t remove the adverts. The UK Government want to close down legacy benefits and move people to Universal Credit: are there dangers in jumping early? The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People will be in the studio discussing the price of school uniforms. And we’ll be talking to a young man with spina bifida whose independence would be greatly enhanced if he could finally start to learn to drive

85% of adults in Northern Ireland reckon they would recognise a scam that is trying to defraud them. Damien Doherty from the Trading Standards Service tells Linda about the latest attacks and how to be vigilant. The world of work is changing: a new guide will help employers transition to hybrid working while a UK-wide trial is asking whether people could be paid their normal salary but only work 4 days a week yet guarantee to be as productive as before. And when Ivan sent money to his son's old bank account, would he be able to get it back?

What’s been the impact of the pandemic and the rising cost of living on carers. It’s Carers Week and Linda McAuley has been talking to Roisin about the routine of caring for her four daughters with autism. The Chancellor has announced a Cost of Living Support package: who is eligible and when can they expect to see the money. We’ll be catching up with participants at this week’s Harkin International Disability Employment summit that was held in Belfast. And the story of a 95 year old’s missing Senior Smartpass.

On Your Behalf has been inundated with listeners’ stories about their difficulties with TV, Broadband and Phone service providers. Whether it’s getting a new connection, unexpectedly getting cut off or more simple issues like making sure you’re on the right deal for your needs, you’ve been telling us about how challenging it can be just getting in touch with your supplier.

Consumer expert Jane Hawkes guides us through listeners’ problems with top tips on dealing with chatbots, jumping the telephone queue and making a complaint when the time comes. We also hear from NI’s Commissioner for Older People, Eddie Lynch, OFCOM’s James Stinson and rural broadband expert Kate Clifford of the Rural Community Network.

Around a dozen Easyjet flights to and from Belfast International Airport were cancelled this week, leaving passengers stranded abroad or stuck trying to get away. The Consumer Council’s Richard Williams explains what your rights are when this happens, and we hear from two passengers who say they were abandoned after flights were cancelled.

Jimmy Hughes returns to the studio for the first time in more than two years and tackles listener issues from caravan warranties to gift cards.

With our ever increasing social media footprints we investigate what happens to your online profiles after your death. We hear from one listener who struggled to get her father’s Facebook account removed and expert Zoe Cairns advises on how to set yourself up online to ensure your friends and family don’t have similar troubles.

There were more energy price rises this week as Power NI announced a 27 per cent increase for customers. The Consumer Council’s Raymond Gormley is on hand with tips for managing your usage and advice on how to communicate with your supplier if you’re struggling.

Rachael Jeffers from the Law Centre explains how to make sure you aren’t missing out on any benefits, and what to do if you’ve never claimed any but want to find out if you’re entitled.

A listener contacted us after he told his insurance company he’d damaged his iPad. He didn’t make a claim, but his premium went up. Paul Hatty of BIBA explains.

And as the Belfast Book Festival announces a Pay What You Want policy, we ask how it works for customers. Festival director Sophie Hayles explains with Stephen McIlwraith from The Dock Café, where the system has been in place for over a decade.