Before getting help, Sue Sayer, 69, had no idea just how difficult retirement could be.
Despite a lifetime of work, her state pension was barely enough to keep the lights on, let alone cover daily essentials.
Speaking exclusively with GB News, Sayer said: "My pension would only cover my rent and fuel bills. I was left with about £30 a month for everything else. That included my pet insurance, life insurance, food - everything."
Sayer had never heard of Pension Credit or Council Tax reduction before seeking help. She said: "I knew nothing about Pension Credit. But once I came down to Brandwood Centre in Birmingham, they helped me get online and apply. I couldn’t have done it on my own. I’m not computer-wise at all."
Before receiving the support, she explained what it was like to live on the state pension alone.
"The state pension is not enough to live on comfortably on. It wouldn't have been possible without the Pension Credit, without a doubt. After bills I didn't have a lot and I would be worried if I couldn't pay my life insurance and pet health insurance. It all costs a lot of money.
"If you haven't got a private pension, it'd be very, very hard to live on very hard. No doubt, because I've gone through my life and I've had to manage.
"So just even my quality of life has improved with finding out I can claim Pension Credit, all thanks to the centre.."
Across the UK, Cadent's 350 Centres for Warmth have become a lifeline many for accessing financial aid and managing debt.
With the centre's application support, Sayer now receives over £400 in additional support each month, including Pension Credit and Council Tax help.
Even with support, Sayer said every pound still counts
SueSAYER/CADET
Without the help, Sayer would avoid all check ups due to the cost, even it put her at a disadvantage.
She said: "I’d walk away from dentist appointments because I didn’t have £29.30 for the check-up. I needed a denture that would’ve cost £600, but I couldn't have afforded that.
"I'm active and I didn't want to walk around with no teeth and not being able to hear people. So having that pension credit was great, but I wouldn't have been able to get that if it hadn't been for the people down the centre helping me, you know, going online with me and, and doing it. It's it's been amazing."
Her monthly state pension income was about £860, but her rent alone came to £700, with fuel bills topping £158. "There wasn’t anything left. Without Pension Credit, I wouldn’t have coped," Sayer said.
Sue Sayer and Donna at Brandwood centre
SAYER/CADET
Sayer was supported by the Brandwood Centre in Birmingham, one of Cadent’s Centres for Warmth. She now gives back by volunteering in its catering team.
She said: "I live on my own and I didn’t really know where to turn to when it came to benefits.
"The support has made such a big impact on my life. I now worry less about other expenses that come my way, like dental or hearing, and I’ve been inspired to volunteer at the centre."
She says the difference has been life-changing. "I always cook fresh because it’s cheaper and better for you. I make soups and share them with others at the centre. But I still have to be careful. Even now, I won’t buy what I can’t afford."
Denise Lelliott from Cortonwood Comeback Community Centre said: "Visitors to our centre are facing a number of challenges and we’re here to ensure we can support them, whether that is with benefits applications or budgeting.
Sarra Morris had claimed benefits when telling the DWP she struggled with basic daily tasks and used a walking stick when feeling tired and unsteady.PA"We often find that many residents are restricted by the digital nature of applications."
Even with support, Sayer said every pound still counts as "everything’s gone up. Food prices are up, gas and electricity are more expensive. You can’t get three carrots anymore you have to buy a full pack. There’s a lot of waste if you’re not careful."
At the centre’s free café, she cooks, chats and brings the community together. She said: "We do toast, tea, bingo, and a raffle. People get out of the house and talk. They laugh. It makes a difference.
""I like knowing I’ve done something useful. It cheers me up."
Sayer continued: "Even if you think you won’t get anything, go and ask. The centre helped me claim what I was owed. I wouldn’t have done it on my own. I would’ve just worried myself to death.
"There are people who sit in chairs all day and never go out because they think they can’t. But sometimes, all it takes is someone showing you the way."
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