Life-saving support for pensioner Ritaj

Ritaj puts her very survival down to Hackney Foodbank.

The 72-year-old spent most of her life working in hospitality but, when Covid-19 struck, she lost her job.  For years she survived on savings and with help from her sister and, though she was eventually given Housing Benefits and Attendance Allowance, both were abruptly stopped following an error on an application form and a DWP health reassessment.

Her mental health and physical health declined.  Unable to afford food or rent and surviving on bread and milk, she came to Hackney Foodbank for emergency food and met with Lara, the charity’s lead caseworker.

She said: “Lara gave me help beyond my expectations – she didn’t just solve the case and get my benefits back; she showed me human comfort. She calls me and texts me to check on me. She is an angel from heaven! Without her I would be finished.

“Before, it seemed there was no tomorrow – I was suffering so much. With my sister’s continuous help and encouragement and all the help from Lara, there was hope. Lara taught me to keep on keeping on and gave me the courage to face things.”

Hackney Foodbank supported Ritaj through the benefits appeal process, attending two tribunals and teaming up with Hackney Law Centre for advice. She won both appeals and will receive £13,000 in backdated Attendance Allowance and £8,000 per year going forward. She will also receive £59,475 in backdated Housing Benefit and £15,860 per year to cover her rent. Ritaj will now be able to clear her debts and will no longer need to rely on the food bank.

She added: “Without Hackney Foodbank I would have been finished. Now I have hope and I can survive. I don’t know how many days I have but now I have a better life – it has completely changed.

“Lara has encouraged me to go out and meet people. Now I go to church every Tuesday and that’s just the starting point. Without Lara, I wouldn’t be here today.”