It was while working on the railways during a heatwave some 17 years ago that Jack (61) developed chronic respiratory problems. He was working in customer services on the Heathrow Express when a malfunction in the air conditioning brought on a serious asthma attack.
Since then Jack has suffered with chronic asthma which can be triggered at any time by some types of air conditioning. The effects can be instantaneous. He can’t go anywhere with air conditioning, even some local hospitals. He left his job with no compensation and has been unable to work since.
Jack visits the foodbank periodically with his wife Amy and their dog Milly. The doctors have advised him to have a dog as he has to get out to walk her. “She’s an absolute joy,” he says. “Full of character and personality.”
Amy (67) has a very small pension. She worked as a chef for 10 years but developed back problems from lifting heavy kitchen equipment. She’s had two operations on her spine but still has to take strong painkillers and walks with a stick.
Unfortunately this is not where their problems end. The couple are also in an intractable financial situation.
Barnet council has had to carry out extensive work on their flat but as they bought the flat many years ago, they have to pay for the repairs. Of course, having been unable to work they have no savings and have to manage on Amy’s small pension and guaranteed pension credit. They have had to pay for the work on their flat with credit cards, so all of their small income goes on food and credit card bills.
On top of this, they have only been able to pay the interest on their mortgage and the capital is due to be repaid in four years. The couple also need to move as their flat is on the second floor and they can’t cope with the stairs.
Barnet council has agreed to buy back the flat but once it is sold and their debts are paid off, they will find themselves caught in another trap. They will have some money left over but not enough to buy somewhere else to live and too much to be entitled to a council flat. Moreover, they will lose their guaranteed pension credit and Jack will not be able to claim any state pension until he is 66.
The council has advised them to look into housing association accommodation. However, this is fraught with difficulty. Housing associations have complex eligibility criteria and many do not allow dogs. They also have 10 to 15 year waiting lists.
“We’re caught between the devil and the deep blue sea”, says Jack. “And what happens next? We’re tearing our hair out and don’t know where to turn”.