Who, what, why?

Our core work is the provision of free advice to over 2,200 clients each year on welfare benefits. We also advocate for clients in appeals against DWP decisions and we have achieved a 100% success rate for four consecutive years. The number of cases going to appeal has reduced as we have focused on the quality of our upfront advice. Avoiding appeals is very beneficial to clients who find being judged at an appeal is the part of the process they find most stressful.

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We also advise on many other matters e.g. blue parking badges, energy relief schemes and tariffs, council tax relief, Local Welfare Assistance Scheme, RADAR keys, water rates relief schemes, and Pension Credit eligibility as well as signposting on other matters such as housing rights; adaptations to the home; and accessible transport and leisure. The service has become increasingly wide-ranging in recent times as reflected by an increase in the number of enquiries pursued per client from 4 to 7 over the last three years.

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The overall financial benefit gained for clients in 2023 was £2.3m and most awards extend to 3yrs. For every £1 donated to running the charity the return in client monetary benefit is 10x to 30x.

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