The rapid move from good news to near destitution
Sara, a 69-year-old Iranian woman, was recently granted refugee status in the UK. Within days she received an eviction notice from Serco, meaning she would lose both her asylum accommodation and financial support at the same time. With no income, no local support network, limited English, and little understanding of her rights due to language barriers, Sara was in an extremely vulnerable position. She faced homelessness and destitution.
Because of her age, Sara was not eligible for Universal Credit, which usually provides immediate financial relief after refugee status is granted. Instead, she needed to apply for Pension Credit, the correct entitlement for someone of her age. Although she was eligible, Sara could not navigate the process alone. She only speaks Farsi, and the system is not designed for people in her position.
A lifeline with it's own barriers
Sara was eligible for our Boosting Advice project aimed at support over 65’s to become independent through maximising their income, funded by Independent Age. When she came to RMC, our team acted quickly, submitting her Pension Credit claim and advocating on her behalf. Weeks of waiting followed, during which Sara’s anxiety grew, especially as her eviction date loomed.
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To resolve the delay, an RMC advisor contacted the Pension Centre directly. They required Sara to answer security questions herself, but no Farsi interpreter was available on the line. The advisor was told to wait while one was found. After 30 minutes on hold, the call was disconnected. The advisor explained the situation to Sara and, with support from a colleague fluent in Farsi, continued to help her overcome this barrier.
Advocating for good
RMC arranged another appointment to call again and find a way for Sara to pass the security questions. The advisor persisted, supported by their Farsi speaking colleague, and continued to reassure Sara every step of the way.
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Finally, on the day of her next appointment, Sara arrived with the news that she had just received her first Pension Credit payment. She was overjoyed and deeply grateful for the support RMC had provided.
Security at last
This outcome brought immense relief to Sara, who had been under severe stress due to her financial situation and the risk of homelessness.
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Thanks to this project, Sara has not only secured her rightful financial support but also gained independence, stability, and peace of mind.
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