Jodie’s Story
Jodie is a single parent and full-time carer for her disabled child.
She was experiencing ongoing financial hardship due to rising household costs, debt and increasing pressure on her finances. Jodie also lives with several health conditions, which were affecting her day-to-day wellbeing and making it more difficult to manage her financial responsibilities.
Jodie initially sought support because she was struggling with high energy costs and essential household bills. As we explored her circumstances, further concerns emerged around changes to Universal Credit, health-related benefits, Council Tax, water arrears and energy debt.
From our initial call with Jodie, it was clear that she was experiencing a fuel crisis. We provided a fuel voucher to ensure her household could continue using essential energy while we began addressing the wider challenges she faced.
We supported Jodie through the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) mandatory reconsideration and appeals process and helped her prepare for an upcoming health assessment. We also referred her for energy-efficiency guidance and supported her with an application to a water trust fund.
Jodie was successfully awarded PIP, worth more than £5,000 a year, alongside a backdated payment worth thousands of pounds. Her application to the water trust fund was also successful, securing more than £4,000 in additional support.
Altogether, the support provided resulted in a confirmed financial gain of more than £12,000.
Alongside this, we worked with Jodie to review her household budget and financial management. With a clearer understanding of her benefit entitlements and the additional support available to her, she began to feel more confident and in control of her finances.
The support provided helped stabilise Jodie’s situation during a period of significant financial stress, while the successful applications and ongoing support have strengthened her longer-term financial position. This has reduced some of the anxiety surrounding her household finances and helped prevent her circumstances from becoming more difficult.
Following the support she received, Jodie shared that she felt more hopeful and more confident and in control of her finances.
“You have changed everything, I have been fighting for PIP for 6 years and you gave me the confidence to fight it until the end and now I have been awarded it with your support and advice. The support has made a massive difference.”
The photograph in this case study does not show the beneficiary. Their name has been changed to protect their anonymity, but their words and experience are genuine.