By Julie Fletcher, Neelam Rhuksar and Maria Jones, The Making Our Money Go Further Team
A retired lady recently rang More Making Our Money Go Further Project to enquire about whether she was entitled to any benefits, in particular Attendance Allowance. She had seen one of our posters that had been passed on by her friend who attends a community group in Rotherham. She expressed concern about the Winter Fuel Allowance being withdrawn by the government and said that she was anxious and worried about having the money to be able to heat her home and given the rise in living expenses, how she was going to manage through the winter period.
During the consultation, she shared that she had worked all her life as a nurse and had recently retired. Since retirement, she has been facing significant personal challenges which included being diagnosed with breast cancer and having had a mastectomy, being diagnosed with an overactive bladder and arthritis in both feet, knees and legs which has caused walking to become problematic. Despite her struggles, this lady was unaware that she might be eligible for additional financial support.
The lady was listened to over the telephone, and it was clear from the discussion that she was suffering with anxiety due to the challenges that she had been managing with her health. She was reassured that the Citizens Advice Bureau would carry out a benefits check and advise whether she was entitled to Attendance Allowance and that she was told that to contact us was the right thing to do.
The lady was referred in through the online Portal. Citizens Advice advised her that she may be entitled to Attendance Allowance and provided a number to ring to obtain a form. Once the form arrived the lady telephoned and enquired whether she would receive assistance from the Citizens Advice regarding filling the form out. The lady was once again referred into Citizens Advice for assistance with this and an appointment was arranged for attendance at the Citizens Advice Bureau to complete the form. Subsequently, lady was successful in being granted Attendance Allowance at the high rate.
She was overjoyed by this decision as this is a crucial financial aid for her to be able to pay for a service on her car as this is her lifeline to getting around now, and a much-needed financial boost as the colder months approach. She expressed her gratitude for the help and assistance provided by Rotherfed. Her experience highlights the importance of the More Making Our Money Go Further Project and the difference this can make in people’s lives by offering personalised support and assistance by making people feel less worried about their money situation, making them less stressed about money and feeling less isolated/along about their financial situation.