Thousands of families are ignoring advice which could help them avoid serious financial difficulty, according to the district council.

The Welfare Reform Act, which comes into effect in April, will cap the amount that any one household can claim in housing benefit, and introduce a ‘bedroom tax’ which could cut the benefit by a quarter.

Epping Forest District Council has been trying to inform residents of the changes, but claims its warnings have been ignored.

A spokesman said: “We were disappointed by the number of people who attended the drop in session at the Limes Centre in January.

“We were part of a consortium of councils which consulted everyone in receipt of benefits on the potential changes and introduction of the new local council tax benefit scheme.

“Very few people responded.” Information on how to get advice, and where the next drop in sessions will be, can be found on the council’s website, at http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/news/2013/01/welfare-reform-drop-in-session/.

• Will the changes affect you? Call reporter Zoie O’Brien on 07768 507 739.