Author: Steve Willis, Service Coordinator, VOICES

Bills, food, bus travel, clothes, rent… money, money, money.

We live in a society where just one month of unstable income could lead to disaster.

We live in a society which has made a promise to help the most vulnerable.  Like those who are ill.  Like those who rely on welfare benefits to cover their daily finances.

We live in a society where people have to make multiple phone calls and fill in endless forms to get the money they are entitled to receive.

We live in a society where people have to be employed to assist vulnerable people to apply for and manage their benefits.

We live in a society where applications for benefits are declined despite all the boxes being ticked and appropriate evidence provided.

We live in a society where many claims won’t be allowed until the first, second or third appeal.

We live in a society where people are waiting for months – sometimes more – before they are awarded the benefits they are entitled to.

We live in a society where people are suffering because the systems didn’t do their job right the first time.