“I’d be homeless without Independent Age”

"I was always on my feet, rushing around. I had a bad fall in 2012 and discovered I had osteoarthritis, which meant I wouldn’t be able to keep working at the hospital. When I retired in 2019, I decided to pursue a new career in commercial casting, something I’d always wanted to do. I registered with an agency, did some auditions and got a few jobs. The future was looking very promising – with the money, I planned to pay off my mortgage.

Then COVID-19 hit. The commercial jobs were all cancelled, my osteoarthritis deteriorated, I developed shingles and my small amount of savings dried up. It was a desperate, desperate time. I was trying to pay the bills with just my State Pension and didn’t know how to make ends meet. When the letters from the bank, energy company and other creditors started coming through saying, ‘You have to pay this much by this month – or else’, I was so frightened. I thought I was going to lose the flat."

"Citizens Advice told me about Independent Age and said I should give them a call. 

I didn’t know what to expect when I first called the Helpline. Would they judge me for being in this situation? Not at all – the advisers were so kind and helpful. They told me I was eligible for various benefits, including Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance and Council Tax Reduction. They also told me about simple aids that my local council could provide for free, like stair rails, bed risers and kitchen stools. They sent me all the forms I needed – and even helped me fill them in when there were questions I didn’t understand."