Amina’s Story

Amina suffered from severe mental health problems:  panic attacks; depression; memory loss; suicide attempts, by overdose & hanging; self-harm, by cutting herself & banging her head against walls.

She came to the advice centre because her home was at risk due to rent arrears and her case was due to be heard at court.

Our debt adviser was able to avoid repossession by securing an adjournment at court. Our benefits adviser identified that she had long standing problems with her Housing Benefit that had caused her rent arrears.

We discovered gaps in her entitlement and that her benefit had been suspended. We negotiated on Amina’s behalf and helped her lodge an appeal.

As a result Amina was paid housing benefit that she should have received previously.  This sum cleared her rent arrears and put a stop to further possession proceedings which provided Amina with the security she needed.

Because the adviser had identified Amina’s health problems, they also assisted her to claim Disability Living Allowance. When awarded, Amina’s income increased by over £93 per week which helped her to receive the care and improved living conditions that she so badly needed.