BURY Law Centre has come to the aid of a Radcliffe widow.

The woman successfully appealed against a decision not allowing her to claim incapacity benefit.

She had lost her husband in July 2003, and was on bereavement benefit for 12 months. At this time she was also being treated for depression.

She could not then qualify for incapacity benefit because of her bereavement allowance, but when this allowance ceased in July 2004, incapacity benefit was still denied to her, leaving her without any state aid and still very ill with depression.

Bury Law Centre took her case on, and helped her secure success.

She said: "For the first time in my life I was unable to work through ill health. So I got in touch with Bury Law Centre. I received representation and the advice and support that was needed to guide me through my appeal."

Bury Law Centre offers free legal help to people who are on low incomes or benefits, focusing on employment, housing, immigration and community care issues.

Rita Hardaker, supervising solicitor at the centre, said: "Benefits for elderly and disabled people are notoriously complicated. People who are vulnerable shouldn't have to go through tortuous legal processes to get what they are entitled to.

"It is important that law centres continue to offer free legal help, especially to cases that others may not be willing to take up."

Contact the Knowsley Street, Bury, centre on 272 0666.