Michael came to us for help after his six-month employment contract had come to an end. He lived alone and was unable to continue working due to serious health problems, having lost much of his vision and mobility due to complications from Diabetes. Now finding himself with no income and bills mounting, Michael had fallen two months behind with his rent and Council Tax bills and he had repayments overdue on two payday loans that he was unable to keep on top of.

Over a series of phone calls and face-to-face meetings, our adviser supported Michael to apply for help with his living costs, with successful claims subsequently made for Universal Credit (UC), Personal Independent Payment (PIP) and Employment and Support Allowance.

Michael was also supported to claim for additional UC elements, energy and utility grants and the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Cost of Living Assistance Fund, together with a Discretionary Housing Payment to ensure he had income during the time he was waiting for his benefits to come through.

Our Home and Well Project Adviser added Michael to the Priority Services Register, to receive extra support from his energy company for his prepayment meter and also giving an opportunity to discuss the further support available from his water and council tax bills.

Michael’s health then took a turn for the worse due to kidney failure, fortunately he recovered fairly quickly and our adviser was then also able to arrange affordable repayments for him relating to his debt. Michael is now financially stable and planning to move closer to his family and after many months of hard work, we were able to successfully close his case.