Alfred is an elderly individual, with long-term health conditions…
Client Profile: Alfred is an elderly individual with long-term health conditions and he lives alone in a two-bedroom council property. The main sources of income for Alfred are State pension, partial Housing Benefit, and Council Tax Support.
Reason client needs advice:
Alfred is struggling financially; he would like his provider to bill him with only the real gas usage and he is having difficulty in getting contact with them.
Currently, Alfred has a prepaid electric meter with a smart meter and it is carrying a debt of £170. Additionally, for gas consumption, he receives a monthly bill, with arrears amounting to £115.00.
What we have done to help the client:
We conducted a comprehensive benefit check, including a disability benefit evaluation, as Alfred does have mobility issues. We assisted him in applying for Attendance Allowance (AA) and other passported benefits, such as Pension Credit (PC), bus pass, Council Tax reduction (CTR), and an extension for Housing Benefit (HB).
Furthermore, we aided him in navigating his utility account, resolving his issues with meter readings, and addressing the incorrectly applied late fees. With our support, Alfred managed to clear the entire electricity debt, and the gas debt was annulled after providing a meter reading. The energy company should now intervene promptly as we registered Alfred on the Priority Service Register (PSR).
Outcome:
Food Bank Voucher £30
Fuel Voucher £30
Late fees cancelled £40
Attendance Allowance £340.50 backdated payment
Attendance Allowance award £68.10 weekly (£3541.20 annually)
Housing Benefits topped up £18.47weekly (£970.32 annually)
Council Tax Support topped up £5.68 weekly (£295.36 annually)
Pension Credit £2493.40 annually
Winter Fuel Payment £600 passported from PC
Bus Pass £610 annually
Cost of Living Payment £299
Alfred is now better off by £9,249.78
NB: Names and some details have been changed to protect our clients’ anonymity.