Gateway M40

S is fifty nine and up to December she worked full-time as a driving instructor until an accident with her foot meant she could not concentrate with the pain and had to reduce her hours. This is causing S significant anxiety as she lives alone and has to pay all the rent and bills. We are supporting with a benefits claim but this could take up to six weeks. In the meantime, S has no income coming in which means she has no money for food or to top-up her meters. Please could you help? Thank you.

S has been referred to Gateway for benefit advice as she has had to reduce her hours of work due to an accident. She was self-employed which has left her in financial difficulties and it is causing her lots of anxiety as she has always worked and paid her way. S has been using a launderette for some months now, as her washing machine has been broken, but she is struggling to get there. Trying to hand wash is causing S a lot of pain as she has to stand over the sink. Please can you help her?

R is fifty six years of age and is a full-time carer for her daughter who has additional needs. The Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) they had in place has been stopped and they now have to pay an extra £56 a month for the under occupancy charge, as well as having their Council Tax support stopped. R was struggling before these benefits were taken away and now she is in financial distress. We have appealed against the stoppage of the DHP, but in the meantime she has to pay for the shortfall. The family has no money to top-up gas and electric meters or to buy food. They feel all alone with no support.

H, who is sixty five and lives alone, had three heart attacks last year and the doctors told him he is lucky to be alive. Since then he has received no support with claiming disability benefits, as nobody told him he could claim. H has come to Gateway and we will support him with his debt issues and claiming Personal Independence Payment. He is trying to live a healthier lifestyle, however his cooker has been condemned and he has no other way of heating warm food, so is living off cold food. Please can you help H?