Welfare
Our experienced welfare team provides advice and support on a range of subjects including claiming benefit entitlements, housing advice, Irish pensions, information about returning to Ireland and assistance with Irish passport applications.
The majority of people we advise live in Luton but we help many people from the Irish community in surrounding areas too
We are proud to work to the Advice Quality Standard.
Case Studies
Mrs V, has long term health conditions which significantly limit her ability to care for herself and as a result her husband had to give up work to care for her. Mrs V had applied for Personal Independence Payments to get some extra financial help but was denied any rate of the benefit.
Mrs V did not feel confident challenging this decision, a friend recommended she contact LIF for support. A Case Officer met with Mrs V and her husband and discussed how her condition affects her, a Mandatory Reconsideration letter was then prepared which quoted the relevant legislation and case law.
When the decision remained unchanged we supported her to request an appeal and then provided representation at the appeal hearing which took place by telephone.
The appeal was successful and now Mrs V receives an ongoing award of £172.75 per week and backdated benefit of £11,631. Her husband has also been able to claim for Carers Allowance of an additional £76.75 per week.
Mr H, who is in his mid-70s and living in local social housing, approached the centre with an issue regarding his utilities. He had paid a bill twice and needed help with a refund. During the discussion, it became evident that he was struggling with his health and financial stability due to increased living costs.
An appointment was scheduled for an advisor to assess his situation and determine what benefits he may be entitled to.
We assisted Mr H in claiming Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit. Although he was initially denied Attendance Allowance, we helped him request a mandatory reconsideration of the decision, which led to it being overturned.
As a result, he now receives an additional £140 per week in benefits and has received backdated payments of over £5,000. This has significantly reduced his worries about his utility costs.
