Financial Circumstances
Council rent: £117.30 per week Council tax: £137.00 per month State Pension: £46.52 per week NHS Pension: £933.28 per month
Attendance Allowance (Higher Rate): £114.60 per week
The client has several long-term health conditions which increase her vulnerability and reliance on maintaining a warm home environment, including: Asthma, Arthritis, High blood pressure, Dizziness, Mobility problems
The client pays approximately £60.00 per month for electricity and relies on oil-fired central heating. At the time of seeking support, she had less than 200 litres of heating oil remaining and was unable to afford the significant upfront cost of purchasing a bulk oil delivery. Rising oil prices, exacerbated by global instability and conflict involving Iran, had increased financial pressure and left the client concerned about how she would heat her home.
A full benefit entitlement check was completed with the client. This identified potential entitlement to: Housing Benefit of £39.41 per week Council Tax Reduction of £7.66 per week The client was supported to submit claims for both benefits to maximise her income and reduce ongoing household expenditure. In addition, the client was advised about support available through the Discretionary Assistance Fund for households experiencing financial hardship due to rising heating costs. Given her circumstances, health conditions and inability to afford a heating oil delivery, an application was completed with support from Citizens Advice. The application was successful, resulting in an award of £750.00 towards the cost of heating oil. The client was also provided with practical energy efficiency advice and guidance to help maximise the effectiveness of heating within the home and reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
The client described the immediate impact of the successful application: "I feel as if a huge weight has gone from my shoulders." The client also provided the following feedback regarding the support received: "I would like to thank Citizens Advice for their advice, help and support regarding heating oil. I was not aware I was entitled to this and I do not receive any other benefits. I was delighted to discover that I was, and I was able to purchase oil within 5 days of receiving the grant. I am not scared to turn the heating on anymore. Without Citizens Advice
I would still be shivering; this has made my life much easier."
This case demonstrates the importance of proactive benefit checks and targeted crisis support for vulnerable households. Through a holistic assessment of the client's circumstances, Citizens Advice identified previously unclaimed benefit entitlements, secured a £750 grant towards heating oil costs, and provided energy efficiency guidance. As a result, the client was able to heat her home safely, reduce financial stress, improve her wellbeing, and gain greater financial security moving forward.