Citizens Advice Bureaux in Billericay and Wickford may face closure if they do not get vital extra funding.
The bureaux have been providing help and advice to local residents for nearly 40 years and need extra funding desperately.
Billericay CAB, based at the Library, Burstead Lodge, the High Street, say they need at least an extra £15,000 a year.
The free advisory service offers thousands of people help and advice on a range of issues including benefits, finance, debts and employment laws.
John Edwards, chairman said: "We have been scraping by for the last year - we are desperately in need of funding.
"It is not only about funding though, we would like to see a firm commitment from Basildon Council to keep the service. We just feel as though we lack support.
"We have been working on a shoe string and we may face closure, but I will not let it go that far. "It is not very nice for the staff and volunteers, as they don't know whether they will have a job or something to do this time next year."
The Billericay service helps around 6,000 people with their problems every year - which amounts to a quarter of the population of the town.
Wickford and Billericay bureaus have to apply for a top up each year to keep them afloat.
Billericay received £15,000 and Wickford received £11,000 top up in November which has enabled them to keep going.
Diane Storey, manager at Wickford CAB, based in Gibralter Walk, the High Street said: "Our financial situation has been unstable for years, we have just been limping along from one year to another and try to carry on regardless.
"We help around 9,000 people annually and have been helping the local community since 1964. "We need a long-term funding plan for three years, of at least £11,000 a year to keep us going."
The bureaux voiced their concerns at a Basildon Council Scrutiny Committee for a review that will go forward to the council.
The bureaux would like more permanent funding, not just the top ups they currently have to rely on, but a three year funding plan or Service Level Agreement (SLA).
Published Tuesday August 27, 2002
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