Understanding Benefits: Angela's Journey

In 2016/17, over £10 billion in benefits went unclaimed, meaning Britain’s poorest individuals and families were living below minimum standards. Amongst those unclaimed payments were income related employment and support allowance (ESA) and income support and housing benefits.

Looking for the reason people fail to claim benefits can be difficult, with broad factors being identified such as the effectiveness of the benefit, lack of awareness of the benefits available, application procedures and the stigma of receiving benefits.

Sometimes the barrier to getting the right benefits is having the support to properly understand what steps need to be taken next.

Better Off Finance key workers support individuals to understand their benefits, making sure that they are getting everything that they are entitled to. During a recent visit to Life Rooms, 60-year-old Angela was informed about the support available through her local Citizens Advice. Looking for support to gain more confidence and financial support, she signed up with Better Off Finance and met her key worker – Louise.

Through 1-2-1 support, Angela was able to start working through her money issues, along with getting support to improve her mental health. Not having worked since her 20’s, Angela was the primary carer for her parents who passed away within a year of each other, having a major impact on her health that left her hospitalised.

After losing several appeals for ESA support group and PIP,  her key worker Louise helped her to fill out forms and accompany her at meetings to make her feel more comfortable. She was able to be successfully reassessed and has now been given standard rate care PIP giving her an additional disability premium on top of ESA payments. Angela told us: “My income has gone from £102 per week to £253 per week and now I can manage my bills a lot better. Louise also helped me get warm home discount which reduces my electricity bill by £140 per year”

Now that Angela has an increased income, her anxiety levels have been improved along with her confidence “My confidence has grown a little, even though I’m still not well, I now can spot the signs and go back to my psychiatrist if I need to”

She’s now attending a writing group and has recently had her poems published, something which she puts down to her new found confidence.

Thanks to her increase in income, Angela is now able to worry less about the money she's got coming in and focus more on improving her mental health. Many vulnerable people still live on the poverty line today due to not knowing what they are entitled. You can check what benefits you're entitled to at your local Citizens Advice 

About us:

Better Off Finance is offering residents of the Liverpool City Region who are currently unemployed (although don't have to be claiming benefits), a bespoke programme of support. 

This support will be provided at a local community venue or at home if a participant prefers.
Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to:
Improve their financial capability through 1-2-1 support and group work

• Access employability sessions within the programme
• Access a Level 2 Accredited ‘Money Mentor’ opportunity
• Progress into training and education opportunities
• Prepare and progress into sustainable employment.

Please contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages to make a referral or for further information.

Better Off Finance is a program jointly funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative