Navigating the benefits system can be incredibly difficult, which is why our staff in the East Sussex Floating Support Service are highly trained and knowledgeable about the system. This allows us to help many people across East Sussex who are struggling to access benefits and ultimately improve their quality of life. One such person is Dinah, who came to us for help accessing more financial support. This is her story.
The Initial Challenge
Dinah is a homeowner who lives with a variety of health conditions, including osteoarthritis, diabetes, hypertension, mobility issues, and has a history of falls. Due to having a pension income that was slightly above the threshold for Pension Credit, she was not receiving the full range of financial support and services that could have improved her quality of life. In the past, Dinah had tried to claim benefits like Pension Credit but was turned down, and the only benefit she was receiving was a reduction in council tax.
Given her health challenges and complex needs, Dinah was eligible for Attendance Allowance, a benefit designed to support people with disabilities and long-term health conditions. However, applying for Attendance Allowance can be a daunting process due to the long form, personal questions, and the requirement for supporting evidence. Many people find it difficult to demonstrate how their conditions impact their daily lives in a way that meets the criteria for the benefit.
Our Intervention
Our East Sussex Floating Support Workers worked closely with Dinah to help her access the benefits she was entitled to.
Our staff, with experience in completing these complex forms, helped Dinah fill out the long and intricate Attendance Allowance application. We ensured that Dinah’s symptoms, including the impact of her health conditions were clearly described in relation to how they affect her daily life. This was critical in ensuring that her case was as strong as possible.
Although Dinah’s pension income made her ineligible for Pension Credit, we identified that she could apply for Pension Savings Credit. This benefit, though phased out for new claimants after 2016, was available to people who reached state pension age before that cut-off. We helped Dinah apply for this lesser-known benefit, which provided her with additional financial support.
After successfully securing Attendance Allowance, our staff advised that this now made her eligible to apply for Pension Credit, a crucial financial safety net for older people on low incomes. This benefit also entitles Dinah to claim the Winter Fuel Allowance, a benefit stripped from many other pensioners this year. Our staff visited Dinah at home, armed with all the necessary paperwork and assisted in the completion of the forms.
Dinah was also able to access help from Adult Social Care, which provided her with adaptations to her home, further enhancing her independence and overall well-being.
The Successful Outcomes
Two months after we supported Dinah to apply for Attendance Allowance, she contacted our service to inform us that her application had been successful. She had not only received Attendance Allowance, but also been awarded Pension Savings Credit. A few weeks later, Dinah reported that she had also become eligible for Pension Credit due to her Attendance Allowance award, and she no longer had to pay council tax. Additionally, Dinah was now entitled to a free TV licence, which provided her with further financial relief.
The Impact
By providing personalized support to Dinah, we helped her navigate the complex benefits system, identify entitlements she was previously unaware of, and ultimately improve her financial situation. Through our intervention, Dinah is now receiving the financial support she needs and additional services that help her maintain her independence at home.
