ALT Samir's story- Samir, a newly recognised refugee from Syria, was struggling with severe financial pressure and ongoing significant mental health challenges. Things became overwhelming when he discovered he had almost £4,000 in Council Tax arrears from the two years he spent in NASS accommodation as an asylum seeker awaiting a decision — a period when he should never have been charged. Enforcement action had already begun, leaving him distressed and confused. An adviser from one of the specialist legal advice services we fund stepped in and challenged the debt. After persistent negotiation, the council agreed to write off the entire amount, lifting a huge weight from his shoulders. While supporting him, the adviser also identified that Samir qualified for PIP. His claim succeeded, giving him the financial stability he’d been missing. For Samir, this support changed everything — replacing fear with security.