Earlier this year, I found myself struggling to manage with the little money I had coming in. I’ve got several long-term health conditions, including a hearing impairment, which made things even more challenging for me. On top of that, I have constant dizziness that affects my balance, making it hard to get around safely. I was really anxious – I was up at night worrying about not having enough money and didn’t know where to turn.
Then I saw a leaflet about a Deaf and Disabled person’s advice centre near to me in South London, so I gave them a call. The person I spoke to was really kind and patient. During the call, we went over my financial situation. I had a small pension, but I explained I wasn’t getting any extra support for my disabilities. She suggested that I come into the centre for an assessment as she thought there were benefits I was entitled to that I wasn’t claiming.
The face-to-face meeting was where I met Lisa and it made all the difference. Trying to do things over the phone can be tough when you’ve got hearing issues like mine, and having someone there to guide me step-by-step was a huge relief. Lisa really took her time, asked me about my health and my daily struggles, and said I might be eligible for a disability benefit, one that I hadn’t even heard of before. Then she did everything to help me filling in the forms and putting in my application.
I’m glad to say that a few months later, I found out that I’d been awarded the disability benefit. It felt like such a weight had been lifted. With this extra support, I didn’t have to worry as much about making ends meet or cutting back on things I needed. I could afford to eat healthier and focus on looking after myself instead of stressing about every penny.
The team at the advice centre, and Lisa in particular, were wonderful. They knew what to do, and they didn’t just tell me what I was entitled to—they took the time to help me get it. I’m much happier and more settled now. The extra money means I am no longer scrimping and saving. I can live with a bit more dignity, and it’s made such a difference to my overall outlook.
If it hadn’t been for their help, I would still be struggling to get by without knowing what I was missing out on. I feel very lucky to have had their support. They deserve so much credit for the work they do – and Lisa deserves a gold medal.
