A man fears he could lose his home after he said the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) left him with £10 of Universal Credit to live off for a month. Neil Ford from Hirwaun, Rhondda Cynon Taf, said he has turned to food banks for the first time in his life as well as staying with friends and family to keep warm.
The 49-year old said he lost his security job on September 25 while he was signed off sick. He said he contacted the DWP as soon as he found out, while his final pay packet came through in early October. Although Neil was granted financial aid, on October 25 he was only eligible for £10.78 to last him until November 25 when the next payment is due to come through.
This is because Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit. As Neil was paid early in the month, the amount he could claim was dramatically reduced despite him having to wait a considerable amount of time for his next instalment.
