to the help I got, I feel like I can manage.”

Following the death of her husband, Mrs Evans* (not real name) was struggling to make ends meet. The couple had always kept on top of their rent and paid all their bills, including their food, heating and rent, out of their small State Pensions. But when her husband died, Mrs Evans lost more than £200 from her weekly income. She met with her Tenancy Support Officer, who looked at her circumstances and was able to help her with a claim for Attendance Allowance. Mrs Evans needed help during the day due to her health conditions. She was awarded standard rate Attendance Allowance of £61 per week.

This led to her being able to claim Pension Credit. The Guarantee Credit topped up her income to £252 per week, which increased her income to a total of £312 per week. This then opened the way to her being able to get benefits to help with her rent and Council Tax. She was also eligible for Government Cost of Living Payments including the Disability Payment.

She said: “I didn’t know where to turn. My husband had looked after our bills and when he died, I was lost.

“Thanks to the help I got from Wales & West Housing, I feel like I can manage.”