Pearl's story

Pearl said “The last thing you need at this time is financial difficulties but… now I didn’t know how I was going to cope without my husband and without enough money to live on.” In the end, Pearl called Independent Age’s helpline and one of our advisers helped check the benefits she was entitled to.

Pearl found out that she was eligible for Pension Credit and said “it was such a relief to know that money was on its way.” Pearl now receives her Pension Credit and because of this doesn’t pay Council Tax which she feels is “a great help.”

Pension Credit was a lifeline for Pearl. Describing the moment she found out she was eligible for Pension Credit, Pearly says “I can’t tell you how relieved I was when I heard what he had to say. I have lost my husband and daughter. I don’t want to lose my independence.”