The family were entitled to a host of benefits, grants and charitable assistance. Their home was saved, and an award of pension credit – in particular – provided a gateway to other support.
That continued even after Ken died in 2010, at the age of 62.
Now Helen helps others in Liverpool who “are too busy caring for someone to juggle all these things”.
But she has noticed that many people with mental health difficulties face a lack of personalised, face-to-face advice despite needing “hand-holding and guiding” as they fill in forms and look at their finances.
“Generally, I put them on the right track. Their anxiety is alleviated and gradually they gain the confidence to manage these matters by themselves,” she said.
In its report published…