Get advice early

Independent research estimates that there are at least 6,500 people in East Sussex who need but are not receiving advice, with 1,800 of these in Rother alone.

East Sussex Advice Plus, a partnership of independent legal advice agencies including the Citizens Advice Bureau , launched the results of its survey this week to coincide with National Advice Week.

The research highlights the need for advice, as well as gaps in services across the county.

The advice agencies have all seen an increased demand for services as a result of the recession, particularly in specialist advice around managing debt, housing problems, or understanding benefit entitlement.

It's estimated that 30,000 people came forward for advice last year.

All agencies have been working hard to keep up with demand, including new ways of working in order to see more people such as increasing opening hours, working in a wider range of venues and improving the availability of telephone advice.

Julie Eason, the Partnership and Strategy Manager of East Sussex Advice Plus, a Lottery funded project to support the advice agencies to work in partnership with each other, recommends seeking advice early.

She said: "If you are having trouble managing debt, think you may be entitled to benefits you are not claiming, or are worried about the security of your home or your job, the advice agencies are there to help. The longer you leave things, the more you may be limiting your options. The advice agencies see people from every walk of life and are specialist providers of free, independent legal advice."

Research that has been carried out by the University of Brighton highlights that for every 1 invested in independent advice services 11 is generated for the East Sussex economy through, for example increased access to benefits or reduction in debt payments.