STAFF at the Leatherhead and Dorking Citizens Advice Bureau are preparing for a tough year as demand for services is expected to soar to unprecedented levels.
The introduction of the Welfare Reform Act in April, which includes the controversial "bedroom tax", will stretch the borough's CAB to its limit, according to manager Anne Haigh.
But Mrs Haigh believes the "professionalism and good will" of her staff will help the CAB continue to offer the same level of service despite the already high numbers of requests for advice from vulnerable residents.
It comes after Mole Valley councillors last week agreed to cut the CAB's funding by £14,000 to £125,500 in its 2013-14 budget.
Asked about the cut in funding, she said: "I wouldn't say we were happy because £14,000 is a lot to lose."
The manager said she was advised by council officers last autumn to make a request for a lower grant than the year before.
"We did have the option to ignore that advice but that would have led to uncertainty over what the end result may have been for us," she continued.
The discussions left the CAB thinking it would have no choice but to reduce the service it offers, including closing either one of the Dorking or Leatherhead branches for a couple of days each week.
This difficult decision was only avoided after the CAB agreed to take on some extra work from Surrey County Council, for which it will receive more funding.
Mrs Haigh added: "We can understand where the council is coming from and we know they value what we do."
During last week's budget meeting, Mole Valley District Council leader Chris Townsend said the council was covering 70 per cent of the CAB's total costs.
And councillor James Friend (Conservative, Westcott) added: "If organisations such as the CAB find themselves in need over the year they are welcome to come back to us and request a further grant."
Meanwhile Mole Valley District Council's spokesman, Matt Blake, said: "We recognise and value the contribution and support the CAB's staff provides."
