For years, Laraine and her husband Steve assumed they were managing as well as anyone could on two State Pensions. They had no idea how much support they were entitled to until a conversation with Town & Country Housing’s Money Support Team changed everything.

The couple discovered they were missing out on financial support that helped ease the pressure of making ends meet and gave Steve the confidence to retire. The same conversation also led to Laraine’s 90-year-old mother, Mary, receiving support she hadn’t realised she was entitled to, improving the finances of three people across two generations of the same family.

When Laraine and Steve reached retirement age, Steve continued working because their pensions simply weren’t covering the bills. Like many people, they assumed there was little help available.

A Turning Point

“We never had any inkling there was any help out there,” said Laraine. “We just thought we had to keep going.”

Everything changed when they were referred to our Money Support Team.

Money Support Officer Sue More visited Laraine and Steve to review their financial situation and check whether they might be entitled to additional support.

“It actually worked out that Steve was working, making himself ill, so they could be around £80 a month better off,” said Sue. “He thought he needed to keep working so they could afford to live, but he was doing all those hours and his health wasn’t good.”

Unlocking Support They Didn’t Know Existed

Sue helped Laraine and Steve apply for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support, easing some of the immediate financial pressure and helping Steve feel able to retire.

During her visit, she also discovered that both Laraine and Steve were living with health conditions that made them eligible for Attendance Allowance. Those successful claims then opened the door to Pension Credit – a benefit many people don’t realise can unlock access to a range of additional support.

Although the Pension Credit award itself was relatively small, it made a significant difference. Once awarded, Laraine and Steve became eligible for full Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support, dramatically reducing their household costs. Together with Attendance Allowance, the additional support provided greater financial security and helped lift the worry of making ends meet in retirement.

“It’s Taken the Weight Away”

For Laraine, the biggest change has been the reduction in stress.

“Every time a letter came saying we owed this or owed that, Steve would get really anxious because he never wanted to fall behind,” she said.

“It’s taken the weight away. He looks much more relaxed now and that makes you feel better in yourself too.”

For the first time in years, the couple feel more secure about the future and are able to focus on enjoying retirement rather than worrying about how they will pay their next bill.

Helping Mum Too

During Sue’s visit, Laraine mentioned her 90-year-old mother, Mary, who lives just two doors away in another TCH property.

Mary had previously looked into Pension Credit but believed she wasn’t entitled to any support. Sue reviewed her circumstances and realised she too could benefit from additional help.

She helped Mary apply for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support and Attendance Allowance before reassessing her eligibility for Pension Credit.

Mary was awarded Pension Credit worth £48 a week, backdated to her application date. As a result, she became entitled to further support with her housing costs and Council Tax, significantly improving her financial situation.

What started as a visit to help one household ended up improving the lives of three people across two generations of the same family.

Why Pension Credit Matters

Many people are unaware that Pension Credit can act as a gateway to a range of other financial support. Even a small award can unlock help with:

• Housing costs
• Council Tax
• Winter Fuel Payments
• Energy bill support schemes
• NHS health costs, including dental treatment and eye care
• Other forms of financial assistance

Could You Be Missing Out?

Laraine hopes that by sharing her experience, other residents will feel encouraged to ask for help.

“We could never thank Sue enough,” she said. “The help we’ve received has changed things completely.”

Whether it’s for yourself or someone you care about, it’s always worth checking that all available support is being claimed. If you’re worried about money, struggling with household costs or unsure what help you may be entitled to, Town & Country Housing’s Money Support Team may be able to help. As Laraine’s story shows, a simple conversation could make a bigger difference than you think.