BELFAST City Council has agreed to provide urgent funding of more than £50,000 to an organisation which has helped thousands of vulnerable people keep their benefits.
Funding for the Citywide Tribunal Service expired on December 31, 2016.
However, on Friday morning a council committee unanimously agreed to make £54,000 additional funding available to the organization until the end of March.
The organisation offers free, confidential and independent advice to those seeking to appeal decisions on their benefits applications.
DUP councillor John Hussey, chair of the council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee said:
“There was a unanimous desire by all members to extend the current funding arrangement, in light of the invaluable work which the Service carries out across the city," he said.
People Before Profit Belfast councillor Matt Collins revealed the organisation was on the verge of "closing its doors" before the eleventh hour reprieve.
But he said urgent action must be taken to ensure the long term viability of the service.
"It is vital that people who are entitled to benefits are provided with representation, especially in the context of the coming onslaught on our welfare system. The establishment of the Belfast Citywide Tribunal Service has been of great benefit to the people of this city," he added.
Alliance councillor Michael Long welcomed the decision.
"The Belfast Citywide Tribunal Service provides valuable, irreplaceable help to many people across Belfast. In the past three years alone, it has dealt with almost 23,000 enquiries and over 3,500 referrals," he said.
