Naomi's reality
When my partner moved in with me, we started a joint claim and due to challenges in the system processing our application, we were left without some payments for about three months. We had to visit food banks and use housing benefit to pay for food and cover bills. I felt I could lose my home and end up in temporary accommodation. This terrified me. It is the mental toll that I find the most difficult, not just on me, but my family too.
The whole system lacks common sense and compassion, and the government is letting us all down. They act as if they’re handing out a gift, but that is not the case at all. This is a right that everyone is entitled to – to support anyone that needs it and provide security. But, because of the dehumanisation, you don’t dare think of it as a right. I’m really glad it is there as, as a society, we need to look after each other but it feels counter-intuitive to have a system of support that degrades people who are looking for that.
There are people who work in the Job Centre or the DWP who are great, sensible, want to help and are compassionate but they are the remarkable ones. It is almost like they are trained to not be like that.
There is an appalling mistrust of people claiming benefits. The government wants us to be accountable - over-accountable to be honest - but there seems to be extraordinarily little effort and understanding from their side and the system is supposed to be there to support everyone. We jump through hoops, and sometimes they are on fire!