A Birmingham pensioner has spoken of how coming forward for a highly under-claimed benefit dramatically improved her quality of life

12:51, 21 Jun 2025Updated 12:51, 21 Jun 2025

Kings Norton resident Sue Sayer with Donna Read, the energy advisor at the Brandwood Centre in Birmingham

A Birmingham pensioner who was “frightened” to use her heating has told of how going onto one particular benefit has saved her £300 – and a lot of worry.

Kings Norton resident Sue Sayer has worked since she was 15 and later supported her children as a single mum – but found she was struggling to afford to live when she retired.

Sue, 69, told BirminghamLive she was “no good” with computers, so had not realised she was eligible for pension credit.

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An AgeUK briefing in May 2024 reported that there are nearly two million pensioners in the UK living in poverty, yet around 2.8 billion pounds of Pension Credit and Housing Benefit is unclaimed in a single year.

Pension credit is a means tested benefit and provides extra money to help with daily costs for those that are of a state pension age and on a low income.

It is separate to a state pension and is often seen as a gateway benefit which leads to other forms of support – which is what happened in Sue’s case.

AgeUK reports that 800,000 pensioner households in Great Britain are entitled to, but not receiving, Pension Credit.

This means more than a third (37%) of those who are eligible vital support are missing out.

“I had worked at a café for 18 years I was due to retire anyway” Sue told BirminghamLive.

She decided to go into her local warm hub at the Brandwood Centre in Kings Norton, where she met Donna Read, an adviser with Cadent Gas.

Kings Norton resident Sue Sayer told BirminghamLive she was “frightened” to use her heating. She has since saved £300 by going onto pension credit and wants to spread the word of how others can benefit

Sue was spending £700 to privately rent her home in Kings Norton and around £156 per month on gas and electric, but said she was told by the council that she faced waiting a decade for a council property.

“I was worried about finances, the council had told me it could be 10 to 15 years before I got a one bedroom place.

“I needed help, I met Donna, at the time my pension was £863 per month, which just about covered rent and bills.”

Pension credit equals around £13 a month, but because Sue is now on it, she is entitled to other benefits which have helped transform her health, including work on her teeth and eyes and quitting smoking.

Sue explained that the benefits and savings she has made as a result of going onto Pension Credit has saved her around £300.

With her pension just covering rent and bills, she now has a little left each month which is using for extra costs and eventually, a coach holiday.

Sue is receiving £200 per fortnight in help for her bills from the government as well as dental and hearing aid benefits, council tax exemption.

“I was having dental issues, I could not afford it, they told me [Pension Credit] would get help with dental costs and hearing aids.

“They helped me change my bills provider which saved £30 per month.”

Kings Norton resident Sue Sayer with Donna Read, the energy advisor at the Brandwood Centre in Birmingham

Sue reflected: “I have never had a loan or credit card I have always tried to live within my means.

“I was a single parent, money was low but I always managed.

“Going to the centre and having someone help me was amazing.”

Sue now volunteers to cook free breakfasts at the centre’s cafe.

“When I was working I was waking up at 5am, I am very active I could not imagine myself sitting still and losing my brain.

“Cadent said they needed a volunteer in the café, I just said show me the kitchen!

“You meet people who have not spoken to people for days on end.”

She went on: “I thought I am 70 year this year, I am very lively, the centre is a saving grace for me.

“Pensioners are getting into debt for their gas and electric.”

Advice to pensioners

What were the biggest cost concerns before pension credit? “It was how much food went up it is really expensive to make fresh food when you are on your own.

“I was frightened to turn the heating on, I got a lot of mould.”

What would she say to others who were in the same situation? “I would say don’t sit in the house worrying about things, go down to the centre, nine times out of ten they can help.”

Phil Burrows, head of customer vulnerability and social purpose at Cadent said: “Our Centres for Warmth play an important role in the communities in which they serve, supporting locals with the challenges they face in their day-to-day lives.

“The income maximisation services offered by the likes of Brandwood Centre provide confidential one-to-one support on benefit entitlement and energy advice, which is invaluable for people living in vulnerable situations.

“While positive steps have been made by the Government, including the reinstatement of the Winter Fuel Allowance, we know there is growing financial pressure on vulnerable households. This is reflected in the impact our Centre for Warmth programme is having.

“Unfortunately, more people are finding themselves living in fuel poverty and requiring support, as evidenced by the increase in users across our network and in Birmingham. If anyone is struggling, we recommend reaching out to your nearest Centre for Warmth by visiting www.cadentgas.com/cfw.”