Universal Credit claimant loses benefits after being sent to appointment at shut down job centre
A mum said she lost her Universal Credit payments after she was given an appointment at a job centre that is permanently closed
PA
A mum said she lost her Universal Credit payments after she was given an appointment at a job centre that is permanently closed.
Tanya Williams was left with £100 per week, which she said has been "tough" as a single parent caring for her children without regular payments.
The 40-year-old said the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) error has caused her to break down in tears.
Williams - from Rock Ferry, Wirral - is a full-time carer for her daughter Aicha, who has autism.
A mum said she lost her Universal Credit payments after she was given an appointment at a job centre that is permanently closedPAAicha suffered as many as 50 seizures a day when she was born due to a brain tumour.
She became a single mum to Aicha and her other daughter Saya, 12, last year after her partner died following a "major heart attack".
On July 22, Williams was sent to an appointment at the shut-down Bromborough Job Centre.
She then rang DWP and she was told another appointment would be scheduled.
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Another appointment was arranged for September 5, however it was once again due to take place at the closed job centre.
For almost a month, the mother was left with £100 and only received payments for child benefit and carers allowance.
"It's been really tough. For most of the six weeks summer holidays I've not been able to do anything with children," she told the Liverpool Echo.
"My eldest has just turned 18 and it's meant to be her party this weekend, I don't really know what we're going to do."
On July 22, Williams was sent to an appointment at the shut-down Bromborough Job Centre
PAShe added: "It's ridiculous, it's been shut for years. Surely they must have it down as being shut somewhere.
"My cousin has been sent there too before. It's ridiculous that they don't know what is going on with the job centres."
Following an arson attack at Bromborough Job Centre Plus in 2022, Universal Credit claimants have been told appointments booked at the centre are actually booked for Birkenhead Job Centre Plus, according to DWP.
A spokesperson said: "We have been in touch with Ms Williams and backdated her missed payments in full."