Isabella was forced to stop working as a gardener on an estate when her health deteriorated significantly. As a member of the Professional Gardeners Guild, she was aware of Perennial and contacted us directly.

Perennial case study

Our caseworker was able to help her claim sickness benefits and went on to represent her at a benefits tribunal to get what she was entitled to.

Isabella had not previously claimed any form of sickness benefits, so our caseworker assisted her with claims for Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The ESA was paid at basic rate but the authorities failed to provide a medical assessment within the correct time frame, despite the caseworker continually chasing. Eventually two years later, following the caseworker making a formal complaint and contacting Isabella’s MP, she was assessed as eligible for the full payment amount and she received the back payment she was due. A separate claim and tribunal was also needed to get her the correct PIP payment that she should have been awarded in the first place.

She says: “Without Perennial I would not have known what I was entitled to, nor would I have been able to make a claim as I was too unwell. The caseworker was extremely helpful and never gave up pursuing the claim. I cannot thank Perennial enough – I am sure that no problem would be too big or too small for Perennial to help with.”

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How can Perennial help you?

Perennial is the UK’s only charity dedicated to helping people who work in horticulture when times get tough, providing free and confidential advice, support and financial assistance to people of all ages working in, or retired from horticulture. Visit Perennial’s website at www.perennial.org.uk to find out how Perennial could help you or call on 0800 093 8510.

*Names have been changed and photos posed by models.

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