Hope to Cope

Pensioner Mr S found himself faced with a challenging few months recently after a change in his personal circumstances. It became clear to Mr S that he needed to move to a more affordable home so he applied for one with BHA.

Equipped with his state pension and work pension from his former employer, he moved into his new BHA home. It didn’t take long for Mr S to realise that despite having some income, he was still struggling and needed more help. He got in touch with BHA and our Tenancy Sustainment Manager (TSM) went out to meet him.

Jennifer, our TSM visited Mr S and did a Benefit Check with him. The check showed that he wasn’t entitled to any help with Rent or Council Tax. However, during the visit, she noticed that Mr S had a few health issues which meant that he could be eligible for a disability benefit. He agreed to let Jennifer order the form to claim Attendance Allowance and also to be referred to the Scottish Borders Council’s Social Work team for an Occupational Health Assessment on his property. Jennifer felt that he would benefit from having grab rails and such in his home. She returned a few days later to complete the form with him and submitted it for him. The application was successful with Mr S being awarded the High Rate of Attendance Allowance of £108.55 per week.

By Jennnifer’s next visit to Mr S home, additional grab rails had already been fitted at both his front door and in his bathroom which he shared was a great help. She had updated his benefit check with the new High Rate of Attendance Allowance and it reflected that Mr S was now entitled to Housing Benefit of $40 per week and a Council Tax Reduction of £4.50 per week. This additional help meant that he could actually travel to get his own shopping instead of relying on others for help.

Mr S now feels more settled in his new home and is happier and more confident of managing his finances. He is also rest assured that he can contact us in future if he requires further assistance.

At BHA, we understand that everyone’s circumstances can change, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Whether it’s help with benefits, accessing support services, or just someone to talk to, our team is ready to listen and offer practical solutions tailored to your needs.

If you are struggling or unsure where to turn, please reach out – like Mr S you don’t have to face things alone. You can call us at 0800 652 8104.

We’re here to help you feel secure, supported, and confident in your home.