A man from Nottinghamshire said a delay in his benefit payments left him feeling "worthless" and living in his car. Scott Allen, 49, who lives in Forest Town in Mansfield, has undergone recent struggles with his mental health.
Before the pandemic started, Mr Allen was also diagnosed with cancer, which he has since received treatment for. In December 2021, he was deemed to not be capable of working due to his mental health, however, he told Nottinghamshire Live that as of April 2022 he had still not received any additional money from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Mr Allen had been approved for Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) and had also put in a claim for PIP payments from the Government. However, he had been receiving no money for either. This had left him relying on his basic Universal Credit allowance, which he says wasn't enough to live on.
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He said: "I've been receiving £270 a month to live on which isn't even enough to pay the gas and electric. I should have received the money back in December, but for some reason, it's been delayed and I have never received any money.
"I've just been lied to throughout. I tried to take my own life last month - I couldn't even afford the insurance for my car, which I was living in for a while. My mum said I could move back in with her. I just thought my life was worthless. "
Since Nottinghamshire Live contacted the Department for Work and Pensions [DWP], they have confirmed they have now paid Mr Allen his benefits in full and that he has been approved for PIP payments. They say that, in most cases, the LCWRA element of Universal Credit is awarded after a three-month waiting period and if it takes longer, it will be backdated.
A DWP spokesperson said: “We have been in contact with Mr Allen this week to support his Universal Credit claim. Following a review, we have paid him his additional benefits in full, including arrears. We have also reviewed all the evidence associated with his PIP claim, including new information and can now award him the enhanced rates.”
With the PIP claim and LCWRA claim previously pending, he was left missing out on hundreds of pounds a month and trying to live off his basic monthly Universal Credit payment of £270. He told Nottinghamshire Live: "If I can't be helped, I at least want to shine some light on what is happening and possibly help others. There are people that are forced to live on the streets because of this and until it's recognised and sorted it will keep happening."
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