Michelle is back at Wandsworth Foodbank today.

She came 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 newborn 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.

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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”.

Michelle says the benefits system is confusing and that people of 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 foodbank is increasingly ‘signposting’ people to other services and letting them know about the help they are entitled to.

A DWP spokesperson 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.”

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

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

Your Local Guardian:

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

In order to get help from the foodbank, 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 foodbank 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 foodbank centre.

To find out more about Wandsworth Foodbank visit: https://wandsworth.foodbank.org.uk/

If you need advice understanding Universal Credit visit: https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/

You can apply for Wandsworth discretionary support payments here: https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/housing/benefits-and-support/discretionary-support-grants/apply-for-a-wandsworth-discretionary-community-care-grant-or-crisis-payment/