North Wales charity helps grandmother, 80, get benefits

Rhyl Journal

2 days ago

Judith Williams, 80, from Penrhyn Bay, received support from the organisation after a fall at her home led to the discovery.
The not-for-profit organisation, which supports people over 60 living in private homes, has helped clients secure £1 million in unclaimed benefits.
Mrs Williams said: "I fell by the gate trying to bring the bin in.
"I fell backwards, and two ladies who were passing, one was actually a paramedic, helped me up.
"They insisted I went to A&E because I had banged my head.
"The following day the neighbour across the road advised me to phone Conwy and Denbighshire Care & Repair."
Caseworkers helped Mrs Williams secure the higher-rate Attendance Allowance of £110.40 per week.
The charity also fitted rails at the front and back doors, on the stairs, in the hall, porch, and downstairs toilet.
Mrs Williams, a former music teacher at Ysgol John Bright in Llandudno, said: "You lose confidence after a fall, so having the rails helps, it makes me feel safer.
"I can't bend then come back up without feeling breathless and dizzy, so it's important to have the rails to hold onto.
"The bathroom is just transformed now, it's fabulous.
"It has a walk-in shower and handrails to help me.
"Without all their help, I don't know how many falls I would have had.
"The workers who came here were brilliant, and every night they were cleaning up after themselves, I didn't have to do a thing."
Amanda Derbyshire, her caseworker, said: "It all helps with independence and staying at home, which is what we all want.
"It's about staying at home as long as possible, staying somewhere where you want to be."
The charity also contacted NHS falls teams, helped the couple apply for a Blue Badge, and arranged for the fire service to check and replace their smoke alarms.
Ms Derbyshire said many people do not realise they are eligible for the Attendance Allowance.
She said: "The Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested disability benefit for people of state pension age and they can claim for it if they're having difficulties with day-to-day personal care tasks.
"A lot of people don't want to see themselves as disabled or having difficulties but I always say it's worth applying, because it can open the doors to other things such as Pension Credit."
Lynda Colwell, chief officer of Conwy and Denbighshire Care & Repair, said: "We help them access the benefits they are entitled to, which can significantly improve their quality of life and reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness."