Philip's reality
I lost my job suddenly at the end of September 2023. I wasn’t technically unemployed until the start of October, but thought I would get ahead by doing the application early. I completed the form online and expected there to be a question asking about the date you wanted to claim from, but there wasn’t one. I didn’t know that the claim automatically starts from the day you fill the form in – and because I was technically still employed on this date, it made my claim invalid.
When I found out, I offered to change the date on the form but there was no flexibility. This meant my benefits were delayed at the start and I missed out on the initial payments.
I was also due to receive further support towards my home costs – but never received this, despite chasing and asking many times. In November 2023, I contacted the Job Centre to request a face-to-face appointment with a work coach to discuss this extra support. It took me over a month to be able to get the appointment and sadly, it wasn’t helpful at all. I was made to feel like a number, like I was on a production line. It felt as though the coach was only interested in what I was doing to find work and not in offering any advice or support. It was like ‘hello sit down...what are you doing to find work? bye.’ The coach didn’t answer any of my questions I had.
It felt very frustrating to be on benefits. I often had to defer payments. The utility companies were generally helpful and did show some flexibility, but my bank didn’t. What would have really helped was a bit more flexibility and understanding from the job centre staff.
Around this time, my father was ill with dementia. I live far from my parents and don’t drive, and being on such a low income meant I didn’t have the funds to travel there by public transport. I couldn’t afford to visit my father in his final days and he passed away in November 2023. Not being able to see him before he died was extremely difficult and after going to my GP, I was put on anti-depressants.
Having to deal with chasing my social security claim made this all the more difficult. This massively contributed to the stress and grief I was experiencing. It had a huge effect on my mental health and made things very difficult. I was also applying for jobs and felt as though I was getting nowhere – I was getting no responses or offers. I was struggling to cope.