How we can help

How we help - A Case Study

Our team recently helped Janet, a 51 year old lady, apply for an increase to her disability benefit due to her deteriorating health.

Janet was initially refused an increase by the DWP and we applied for a review on her behalf which was successful. Janet said:

 “I was so pleased with the help that Age UK Northumberland gave me. I was nervous about filling in the form - I didn’t want to exaggerate my condition but needed to tell them the problems I am having.  When they refused me at first I think if I had been dealing it with alone I would have just left it but I was encouraged to ask them to reconsider the decision and I’m glad I did.  I went to a higher rate giving me £30 per week extra money and from a time limited award to an indefinite award.

If I didn’t have this money I’d be stuck in the house more. I visit my auntie every fortnight (she’s like a sister to me) on the bus which costs £7 and I could not afford that if I did not have this money. I also take taxis to do my shopping and to stay as independent as possible. I rely on my adult son quite a bit but I don’t like to and don’t like to impose on him. It means I can employ handymen to do little jobs around the house and not always ask my son.

In the recent wet weather my front door was swollen and the council said it was not their responsibility so I used a handyman to sand the door. My mum lives near me and she’s been diagnosed with cancer – it means I can get a taxi to her house and go with her to the hospital and to the doctors.”