An additional £1.5 million was obtained for people in the area by a charity offering free legal advice.

The Citizens Advice Service in Three Rivers raised the extra income for people in 2017-18 largely by helping them access benefits they are entitled to by providing information that is free, independent, confidential and impartial.

The charity operates from three offices in Rickmansworth, South Oxhey and Abbots Langley with the help of 81 volunteers. They offer drop-in advice each day of the week. 

In 2017, Citizens Advice Service helped 7,685 people resolve over 18,000 issues ranging from debt, employment problems, divorce and separation, benefits and consumer and housing queries.

Citizens Advice Service advisors help clients work through their finances and fights cases. The money raised goes towards paying rent and utility costs as well as food.

Councillor Chris Lloyd said: “The work that Citizens Advice Service do within Three Rivers is amazing, they make a real difference in people’s lives. The volume of work they do increases year on year.”

Three Rivers District Council provides the Citizens Advice Service with over £250,000 in funding each year. 

If you require advice from the Citizens Advice Service, you can find more information here:

Abbots Langley http://threeriverscab.org.uk/abbots-langley-office/

Rickmansworth http://threeriverscab.org.uk/rickmansworth-office/

South Oxhey http://threeriverscab.org.uk/south-oxhey-office/

If you are a resident of the Three Rivers district, phone 0344 245 1296 http://threeriverscab.org.uk/contact-us/

Web chat https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/web-chat-service/

Hertfordshire Advice 03444 111 444