'I FEEL LIKE JUMPING OFF A BRIDGE'
Bailiffs call on man whose learning difficulties mean he can’t fill in Universal Credit forms
BAILIFFS seized furniture that belonged to a man on Universal Credit who can't read or write — leaving him suicidal as he's forced to choose between heating or food.
Harry Dent from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, cannot use a computer and was left in rent arrears when he was put on the new benefits system.
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He says he didn't understand Universal Credit — which gives housing benefit claimants a single payment monthly instead of fortnightly.
Harry is now being made to pay back an advanced payment of £750 out of his benefits every month, forcing him to live on just £50 per week.
This leaves him with making the decision of whether to heat his home or buy food.
And after an assessment from the Department for Work and Pensions, Harry's been told he has to go back to work.
The news comes after The Sun launched its Make Universal Credit Work campaign, demanding changes to the flagship policy before it's too late.
We've told how Brits are drowning in debt waiting for their first payment and are struggling with getting their childcare costs paid back to them.
The Sun wants to Make Universal Credit Work
Universal Credit replaces six benefits with a single monthly payment.
One million people are already receiving it and by the time the system is fully rolled out in 2023, nearly 7 million will be on it.
But there are big problems with the flagship new system - it takes 5 weeks to get the first payment and it could leave some families worse off by thousands of pounds a year.
And while working families can claim back up to 85 per cent of their childcare costs, they must find the money to pay for childcare upfront - we’ve heard of families waiting up to 6 months for the money.
Working parents across the country told us they’ve been unable to take on more hours - or have even turned down better paid jobs or more hours because of the amount they get their benefits cut.
It’s time to Make Universal Credit work. We want the government to:
- Get paid faster: The Government must slash the time Brits wait for their first Universal Credit payments from five to two weeks, helping stop 7 million from being pushed into debt.
- Keep more of what you earn: The work allowance should be increased and the taper rate should be slashed from from 63p to 50p, helping at least 4 million families.
- Don’t get punished for having a family: Parents should get the 85 per cent of the money they can claim for childcare upfront instead of being paid in arrears.
Together, these changes will help Make Universal Credit Work.
Join our or email [email protected] to share your story.
Harry told : "I'm in debt with all sorts —sometimes I feel like going out and jumping off a bridge.
"They came and took the TV, dryer and tablet. They never took the bed.
He says no one told him that they were no longer paying his rent directly to his landlord.
Harry also criticised the assessment process, claiming his assessor didn't identify hi learning disability even though it was listed in the forms.
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He added: "I can't read or fill in forms. I said I couldn't fill in the job applications and I didn't know what job they are expecting me to get. Going through this has been traumatic."
A DWP spokesperson said: "Universal Credit staff give tailored support to people with learning disabilities an our assessors have significant clinical experience.
"People needing extra support can call our Freephone helpline, and Citizens Advice will deliver Universal Support from April to help vulnerable people make their claim."
Disabled man given just 1p Universal Credit to live on over Christmas
IF you are having suicidal thoughts, suffering from anxiety or depression or just want to talk, call The Samaritans on 116 123.
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