In the "grey area"?

There is a section of society which is in great need, but overlooked by the Government Benefits system. Let me hasten to say, that I am extremely grateful for ANY and ALL Government support, but sometimes life puts us on a path that results in facing a frightening future at a time when we should be looking forward to reaping the rewards of a lifetime of labour.

I am speaking of people in their late 50s, who have worked most of their lives, raised children, always had a good job and reasonable standard of living, who now find themselves jobless, cold, hungry, homeless and penniless.

Perhaps your story is similar to mine?

A year ago I was a professional, competent, capable 58-year-old woman in what I thought was a secure job, driving a Mini Cooper on a half-hour commute to work, renting a decent two-bed terraced house from a private landlord, and seeing my teenage daughter through her A-levels. I had been through the mill, so I thought, having left my alcoholic husband six years before.

Overnight the bottom fell out of my world with a phone call from my boss/owner/manager of the company I worked for. I was about to take leave to go and spend Christmas with my married daughter in Australia (her Christmas gift to me), and he called to tell me not to come back after my leave – my employment was unexpectedly terminated. There was nothing I could do up front of my booked and planned trip, but my employer said he would pay me out for the previous month, and my leave pay, so I went to Australia, sitting on the edge of my seat all the way, and touching my son for a loan of my month’s salary to see me through, firmly believing I could sort it all out when I returned in the January.

I have since had to resort to an employment tribunal to get the money, which has still not been paid six months on. I have also ascertained that my former employer may have been jailed for tax fraud. So I am in debt to my son, who has two babies and a wife to support … embarrassing and distressing!

Housing Benefit caps left me facing eviction for short payment of rent … I had to send my teenage daughter away (thank goodness she is a capable young woman who has since made her own life) … and I had to sell my car. I signed up for Jobseekers’ Allowance and have been actively seeking work since, but who, I ask you, is going to take on a woman nudging 60 who cannot offer her most recent employer as a reference?

I have had treatment for depression, come close to suicide, faced living on a park bench, and life is a constant struggle of juggling Peter to pay Paul, because I was left with a credit card debt when I lost my job.

I know have a assured tenancy in a Council flat with Housing and Council Tax benefit, but I cannot meet my monthly outgoings on Jobseekers’ Allowance alone. I spend hours each day jobseeking online and attending mandatory work programme and Job Centre appointments, terrified that my payments will be sanctioned. I WANT to work, so badly, but I have even been turned down as a cleaner at the local Asda. Overqualified, they say … but then I am under-qualified in competition with young people fresh from uni when it comes to professional jobs I know I can handle, on experience alone.

My children can’t help me … they have their own problems to deal with. I seem to be unemployable, and don’t have the courage or financial nous to become self-employed. I have no bus pass, no winter fuel allowance, and none of the benefits of pensioners or the disabled (I am unfortunate enough to be healthy!). I am supremely grateful, however, for having a roof over my head and a flat full of furniture and effects gleaned in the “good days” … until they run out or break down, then what!?

Would be glad to hear from anyone else in a similar position so we can compare notes and commiserate.