In 2023, GMLC helped the residents of Greater Manchester obtain £1.9 million in unclaimed or wrongly refused benefits. This is our highest amount in a single year since GMLC was founded.
This was due to our Welfare Benefits team’s tireless work helping claimants apply for disability benefits, appeal negative decisions, challenge unfair DWP sanctions, and maximise their income through targeted benefits advice.
Not only did they help disabled people and those on low incomes get backpayments and secure benefits going forward, their work has also stopped rent arrears evictions through their co-operation with our Housing team.
Students going through our Legal Advocacy Student Project (LASP) representing benefits claimants in the Tribunal system made a significant contribution to these gains – thank you to all of you for your time and effort!
Unlike the money sitting in the pockets of the already-wealthy, most of the money won through this work goes straight back into the local economy in Greater Manchester, building residents’ security in the cost of living crisis and ensuring people with low incomes can live dignified lives.
