
A man whowas choosing betweenkeeping up withhis bills orpaying forfoodand heatinghas urged other peoplefacing money worries to ask for support.
TonyRogers, from Shrewsbury,said his problems started to escalate when he was forced to give up work due to ill health. He was then hit with a bedroom tax shortfall which left him struggling to keep up with essential bills.
Priotising paying his rent and council tax,the 66-year-oldwouldoftengo without food and heating to avoid falling into arrears.This caused his mental health to suffer andimpactedhis existing medical conditions.
Tony said: “It was when I had to give up work that things started to escalate. As time went on the money started to dry upand the bedroom tax really punished me.
“It was a decision between paying bills or heating and eating. Which one do you do? I opted to pay my billsand council taxas Ididn’twant to go into debtand heatingand eatingfell by the wayside.”
A turning point for Tony came when he rang the Samaritans in a moment of despair and they told him aboutHousing Plus Group’s money advice team, which offers free financial support for tenants.
Tony wasadvised to popinto the group’s nearby community hub, inCastlefields, where he metone of the team’s employment and money advisors, EdgeAbboh.
Edge said: “Tonyis a traditional and proud man whodidn’twant to fall into arrears. He popped into the hub to ask about ouradviceand I spent time building that rapportwith him, he was worried about taking up too much of mytimebut I explainedthat’swhatwe’rehere for.”
Edge carried out a full assessment of Tony’s financial circumstances toidentifyareas where his income could be improved and his outgoings reduced.
Edge was able to reinstate Tony’s Housing Benefit, to make sure his rent would be covered, as well as applying for Attendance Allowanceto supportTony’sadditionalneeds. He alsohelped him to completeonline applications for his State Pension and Pension Credit.
Tony said: “It wasan eye openerfor me. Edge was so knowledgeable about what I was entitled to.
“I’dnever even thought about Pension Credit or Attendance Allowance and within four to five weeks of seeing him I had everything through and it was amazing.”
The team was able to help maximise Tony’s income so that he is no longer forced to sacrifice essentials such as food and heatingtobe able topayhis bills.
Tony said: “I wishI’dgotten help sooner. I wasgoing through terrible stress, almost afraid to go out for years.
“In the end I just had to do something.”
Now more than 12 months after Tony first popped into theCastlefieldsCommunity Hub, his mental health has improvedhugelyandhe has peace of mind knowing he has the security, stability, and confidence to manage his circumstances more effectively.
Tony said: “As soon as my money comesthroughI go and spend £15 a week on electric and gas, somethingI’venever been able to do before.
“It’staken a lot of stress off my shoulders andI’mable to sleep better at night.”
Tony is now urging anyone else worried about money to ask for help.
He added: “Ifyou’restruggling to keep up with your rent or your bills, approach your landlord or supplier first. It soon builds up and they may be able to work with you.”
Edge says he has seen a dramatic change in Tony.
He said: “I dread to think what would have happened if Tonydidn’tcome in to see us.
“He still pops into thehuband you can seethat allthe tension and pressurehasbeenreleased off his shoulders. He seems a lot more stress free.”
If you are a Housing Plus Group customer struggling to gain employment, unsure what benefits you could be entitled to or finding it hard to manage your money, the Employment and Money Advice Service is here to help.
Customers can contact the team by calling 0800 048 8955, completing thereferral formor by dropping into one of thecommunity hubs.