“This is my life now” – Wandsworth mum is now a regular at food bank after she claims discrepancies in benefits system see her lose £400 a month

By Sian Bayley, Local Democracy Reporter

Michelle is back at Wandsworth food bank today.

She was there for the first time last month after issues with her benefits payments, but is still struggling.

“When I had to come again this time I actually started crying,” she said.

“Last time was a really positive experience, but I never thought I would be back. Coming in today I really felt, ‘oh my god, this is my life now.’”

Michelle is a carer for her grandfather, but since she gave birth to a daughter at the end of last year, he has been staying in respite care.

Michelle’s daughter has a number of complex medical needs, so she is often back and forth to the hospital and cannot care for her grandfather at this time.

She reported the changes to her situation, and no longer receives her carers’ allowance.

But despite this, she is still seeing deductions in her Universal Credit for being a carer, as her claim is still seen as active, with an assumption she will soon start caring for her grandfather again.

Michelle says she has lost £400 a month.

“It’s been going on for three months now, while mainly living on next to nothing,” she said.

“I assumed everything was going to be sorted this month, so I paid back the money I owed people, normally around £20 from each, but when I got the payment it was gone the first day.

“I did some shopping, paid the bills and paid people back, then it’s gone.”

She says she received £113 from the job centre, but can’t take out any more money.

“It should be based on the amount of money, say £500, not the amount of times you use it,” she said.

She has also tried contacting Wandsworth Council.

The council’s website says applicants for the discretionary social fund, which provides white goods and Sainsbury’s vouchers, are only eligible if they have “not already had two awards in any rolling 12-month period excepting in the case of a disaster”.

She says the benefits system is confusing and that people are scared of getting anything wrong in case they have to pay more money.

“You have to come off a benefit and report a change, or could be claiming benefits you’re not entitled to and increasing money you have to pay back,” she said.

Sarah Chapman, founder of Wandsworth Foodbank, said this situation is quite common.

“Delays and stoppages to benefit payments are sometimes paid back, but in that time people have been left short of money for basic essentials,” she said.

Today Sarah is making an appointment for Michelle to speak to the Foodbank’s Adviser who will help her with her benefits.

The food bank is increasingly ‘signposting’ people to other services and letting them know about the help they are entitled to.

Wandsworth Food Bank was set up by Sarah in May 2013 in response to changes to the welfare system.

It has 250 volunteers across five sites around the borough and is open seven days a week.

It is part of the Trussell Trust nationwide network of food banks and works using a voucher referral system.

In order to get help from the food bank, you will need a voucher issued by local agencies, such as Citizens’ Advice, housing support officers, health visitors or social services.

These agencies will take some basic details from you to complete the voucher to help them identify the cause of your crisis and offer practical guidance.

It also means the food bank can prepare suitable emergency food for the right number of people.

Once you have been issued with a voucher, you can exchange it for a minimum of three days of emergency food at your nearest food bank centre.

A DWP spokeswoman said: “We value the vitally important role carers play in our society, but unfortunately we were not provided with any information to investigate this woman’s case and ensure she’s getting the correct support.

“We would urge her to contact the DWP as soon as possible for us to investigate her claim.”

To find out more about Wandsworth Food Bank click here.

If you need advice understanding Universal Credit click here.

You can apply for Wandsworth discretionary support payments here.

Pictured top is Wandsworth Food Bank manager Dan Frith with trustee and volunteer Sarah Chapman