Christopher saved over £350 on his water bill, after St Barnabas referred him to the Green Doctor service.
Our Welfare and Benefits Team support patients from early in their diagnosis, helping to ease their concerns, as well as those of their families and carers. We can help discuss the benefits you may be entitled to, support with applying for benefits and grants, and provide information signposting.
Diane Bell, Welfare Benefits Advisor at St Barnabas, says: “We have been able to support Christopher with Attendance Allowance and a mandatory reconsideration, which he was very grateful for. We were also able to help with a blue badge for his car and referred him to the Green Doctor for further help with his energy bills.”
Green Doctors are trained energy efficiency experts who provide residents with advice and support in their own home, over the phone, or through workshop events.
Christopher says: “I was diagnosed with COPD some time ago. St Barnabas Hospice has been helping me and referred us to the Green Doctor for energy support and financial advice.
“Green Doctor Ben looked at our utility bills and immediately noticed that because of my condition, we are eligible for a 50% discount with Anglian Water. This has saved us £350 on our water bill, which is a massive help!”
Chloe Pearson, Welfare and Benefits Manager at St Barnabas, says: “We have been working collaboratively with Green Doctor since September last year. We make referrals to them to support patients with understanding and reducing their energy bills or if they need practical support with items like white goods.
“They also identify individuals that may need support from our team, so we work collaboratively to ensure they can access both services and receive full help. It’s brilliant that we can work together to support our patients and their families when they need it most.”
Chloe elaborates: “We can do joint home visits to support patients as well, ensuring we cover all the help they may need. Recently, we assisted a family by working together. Our Welfare and Benefits Team applied for grants and secured the benefits they were entitled to, while the Green Doctor helped with their energy bills, and arranged supermarket vouchers and a new fridge freezer.”
Between 2023-24, our Welfare Team received 4,971 referrals. If you’re living with a life-limiting or terminal illness in Lincolnshire, our Welfare and Benefits Team might be able to help you access the benefits or grants you are entitled to.
We are here to support in a variety of ways, including discussing the benefits you may be entitled to, supporting and completing application forms, and accessing grants or other support that may be needed.
Some benefits we support with include Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, and Housing Benefit.
We have our free Will service at St Barnabas and can signpost for power of attorney support. We are also available to discuss funeral support with funeral grants and bereavement support payments. As well as working with other organisations to identify equipment support, counselling, and asbestos-related conditions.