Our Impact
Most of our clients are in financial crisis, often due to an unexpected change of circumstance, such as unemployment, long-term illness, bereavement or onset of disability, which plunge them into financial difficulties.
Our services have delivered life-changing financial, and wellbeing impacts for people in Torbay and below are some of our clients’ personal Journey's.
Client's Stories
The client had significant physical and mental health conditions and recently retired on health grounds.
Due to overwhelming anxiety in attending the PIP appeal tribunal, we organised a telephone hearing with HMCTS and on the day travelled to their home to act as representative on the conference call.
The appeal was successful, resulting in an award of the PIP daily living component, totaling £68.10pw with a back payment of £4,833.
This has significantly eased the client’s financial burden, allowing them to afford to go swimming regularly - the only thing that eases their joint pains.
Client had significant physical health conditions, particularly with mobility, and was unable to work and relied heavily on foodbanks.
Following their own unsuccessful PIP application, we prepared a detailed appeal submission and acted as representative at the successful tribunal hearing, where the client gained a 10-year award for enhanced components worth £175.75 week.
A £15,264 back payment has enabled the client to significantly change their life. They now eat regularly and is more active and mobile following the purchase of a car. They also improved their previous chaotic living environment by switching accommodation.
Client has a diagnosis of Autism, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia and PTSD and was referred to our service when they moved into supported accommodation following a family relationship breakdown.
We assisted with all the benefit related support to enable movement into a shared ownership property under the HOLD scheme for people with disabilities.
We also created a UC account for them and completed the Work Capability Questionnaire enabling the client to receive £416 a month in financial support.
We further helped to secure a 100% reduction on their Council Tax Bill on the grounds of severe mental impairment, all of which have enabled them to live independently.
Client is a young person with autism and severe OCD, who has experienced severe relationship breakdowns within their family, culminating in periods of homelessness, which was an extremely difficult time as their OCD revolves around cleanliness.
To accommodate the clients’ requirements around their OCD and extreme anxiety, we arranged an initial Zoom meeting with the client and parent also present to discuss support with a PIP application. It took several appointments to establish an understanding of support needs as the client often answered they were able and fine to complete daily tasks.
We know from experience, additional gentle probing questions are always required and by asking family members we established the client had several support processes in place, such as, categorising and colour coding clothes to dress. There were similar processes in place for other activities, including someone needing to be in the house when they showered up to 5 times a day as they could not touch the door handle.
The PIP claim was successful, awarding enhanced elements totaling £737.20 every 4 weeks with a back payment of approximately £4791. The client’s parent has stated their child is now using the funds to take driving lessons to access work opportunities and move towards living independently.
The Client has learning difficulties and contacted us regarding a lapsed PIP application, due to being homeless at the time.
PIP appeal bundles are typically 100-150 pages long; containing copies of all the written information involved in the appellant’s case alongside the statutory rules and any relevant case law but this client’s bundle contained 527 pages, making it extremely complex.
Our adviser reviewed all the paperwork and represented the client at tribunal, whereby the appeal was successful, and they were given a 10-year award, totaling £549 every 4 weeks and a back payment of £11,832.50.
The adviser has also supported the client with advice on keeping safe from financial abuse due to previously being a victim to scams. As a result, the client now has safeguarding measures in place with their bank and are no longer homeless.
Client has two children with severe mental health support needs, one of which have spent extensive periods in secure units for self-protection.
They are back living at home, meaning the client had to give up work and become a full-time carer and therefore needed help to claim DLA to help with support costs.
The referral came via Social Services, who we worked closely with as well as the family, to understand support needs and review supporting evidence.
The DLA application was successful awarding £737 every 4 weeks, thus enabling the client eligible for Carer’s Allowance and the Carer and Disabled Child elements of UC totaling a further £685 per month.
The client stated it made a huge difference as they have been struggling to manage with the added expenses their children's health conditions are placing on the family budget.
Donations
Tribunal
Contributes towards an advisor preparing an appeal case and representing a client at a tribunal
£180