A disabled East Lothian OAP has told how she was left shivering in her own home due to cost of living crisis.
Helen Simpson, 67, from Musselburgh was forced to beg for help after struggling to afford food and heat her home.
The OAP eventually went to the Citizens Advice Bureau for advice when she was unable to pay for emergency dental care for a toothache and couldn't stand the pain.
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The pensioner was shocked to discover that she was entitled to hundreds of pounds back by claiming the Pension Credit Guarantee which was backdated for three months allowing her to pay for dental care and heat her home for the first time in months.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Helen said: “This time last year my income was my state pension and the disability benefit, (PIP). This was really not enough to live on, and like so many people I was struggling to feed, heat and look after myself.
“Then last summer I had a toothache, and the dentist told me the treatment would cost hundreds of pounds.
"Well, I just can’t afford that. And I was actually shocked because I thought as a pensioner I would get it for free.
“So I went to the Citizens Advice Bureau in Musselburgh, and explained the situation. They asked me why I wasn’t claiming Pension Credit Guarantee.
"I said I’d never heard of it and didn’t even know what it was. They told me that it was a weekly benefit and that they thought I was eligible to claim it.
"Staff confirmed that I was entitled to this Pension Credit and from now on I would be getting £83 per week, on top of my normal state pension. Not only that, but I could also claim it back-dated for three months, which was a lump-sum of more than £900."
The 67-year-old explained that with the lump sum she would not be going on a lavish spending spree, rather finally being able to afford the bare necessities.
She said: “Well you can imagine, I was gob-smacked. That sort of money is life-changing for me. I mean, don’t get me wrong - I won’t be going on a cruise to the Bahamas or buying a Rolls Royce.
"I’m still living pretty near the breadline. But this extra money has made all the difference. It meant I could get my teeth fixed, and I can keep the heating on instead of rationing it. And there’s food in the cupboard, plus I can also treat my little dog a bit more.
“And this money is not a hand-out, or some kind of scam. I’ve worked all my life. Shelf-stacking, cleaning, receptionist – all sorts of jobs. I’ve paid my taxes and National Insurance. So the Pension Credit Guarantee is something I’m entitled to."
The financial relief the Citizens Advice Bureau were able to help Helen receive has been life changing and she now wants to make others in similar situations aware.
“I’m still feeling really elated at how this happened. It was like a dream come true. The only thing that bothers me is that I could have claimed it earlier if I had known about it. I missed out on thousands of pounds" she said.
Adding: "All sorts of people from all kinds of backgrounds, who are missing out on benefits and grants because they don’t know they’re entitled to them.
"So the reason I’m speaking out today is to tell people: go to your CAB and ask them to check what you’re entitled to. You could be like me, missing out on £80 a week. Or more. It’s your money, so get it claimed!
“If I hadn’t had a toothache last year, I’d still be sitting shivering in the cold, worried sick about how I was going to pay these big increases in energy bills. Or I’d be in debt – spiralling out of control, which is not a good place to be."
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CAS Social Justice spokesperson Stephanie Millar said: “The cost of living crisis is hitting people hard. Nobody should be going without heat or food while there’s a pile of cash they could be claiming.
“It’s really positive to see that stigma around claiming social security is falling, but lots of people still aren’t claiming what they are entitled to. That’s where we come in. CAB advisers can check if you are entitled to anything, and then help you claim it.
“In the current circumstances, every penny counts. We can’t promise everyone has a fortune in unclaimed money, but it costs nothing to let us check for you. As with all CAB advice, this process is completely free, confidential and independent.
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