Hugo's story
Hugo and his wife are qualified bakers. They have worked hard
all their lives, often arriving at the bakery when others are
normally going to bed. Hugo worked through the night to ensure the
morning loaves are freshly baked when the sun rises. They are also
the proud parents of three sporty children, who compete at a high
level in swimming and water polo. At present they have every reason
to be especially proud, as one daughter has been awarded a place to
swim for Great Britain in the Paralympic Games.
Hugo suffers from a hereditary disease, which has left him
disabled. Following an operation a few years ago, his condition
forced him to stop work. Two of the children have inherited the
same condition and also have mobility difficulties. Hugo describes
how depressing it was to have to stop his job and the difficulty he
had in finding out what support he was entitled to receive. “I felt
as though I was treated like a second class citizen. People seemed
to assume that you’re trying to fiddle the system, when I was just
attempting to get informed,” he reports indignantly, “I just felt
like I had nowhere to turn.”
This is when Hugo was given the Turn2us helpline number. The Turn2us advisers checked he
had applied to receive all the state support that he was entitled
to and that the levels of support were correct too.
“It was the first time I’d ever had an independent benefits
check,” he says, “Turn2us were really, really helpful. They
identified that I could apply for increased Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and gave me
lots of useful pointers for filling out the form. They advised me
to mention the psychological aspects of the condition as well as
the physical ones, and recommended that I should also apply for
Disability Living Allowance (DLA - claiming
for children) for my son, who is now becoming frustrated
with his legs and ankles.”
As a result of this call, the family have been awarded maximum
mobility allowance for the young boy and also the maximum allowance
for care, amounting to over £400 a month. Previously they had
received no DLA at all.
“The support has made such a difference." Hugo
says, "and has taken some pressure off buying clothes and
food. It has also freed up other money, meaning we can support our
daughter as she prepares to swim for Great Britain. The transport,
clothing and training costs do add up and we don’t want her to be
held back by a lack of funding.”
“After my call to Turn2us, I felt like I’d been given a map
around a minefield,” Hugo reports full of gratitude. “It really put
my mind at ease to receive independent advice. I just wish I’d
known about them a few years ago.”
Read other
success stories
Find
out how you can contribute your story
Turn2us - to access benefits & grants.
