Martin Lewis warns vulnerable Brits are missing out on Universal Credit as they struggle to wade through paperwork

It also doesn’t advertise that claimants can nominate someone to help them manage their account in the first place.

The charity has warned that the way the system currently works means vulnerable Brits are being “set up to fail”.

Martin, who is chairman of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, called for the claims process to be simplified and for clearer advice on what people need to do to get the help they need.

He said: “People who are entitled to Universal Credit, sometimes due to mental health problems, which impact their ability to fill in forms or process complex information, are allowed to nominate someone to help them with the admin needed to keep receiving benefits.

"Yet to do that, they must go through a complex process which requires them to do the exact things they need help with in the first place. 

“If they don't manage it, they ultimately risk being sanctioned or losing all financial help.

"I don't believe this is a deliberate attempt to set people up to fail. Yet that is the practical outcome for some.”

The charity’s survey also showed that vulnerable claimants are struggling to get help over the phone from the DWP if they have an issue with their claim.

More than half (54%) of claimants with mental health problems said they had severe difficulties using the phone, which would spark panic attacks, heart palpitations and anxiety.

One adult who took part in the survey, called Gary, said he found the process of managing his claims “horrendous” and that he finds it “hard to talk” to people.

Martin said the government needs to act now to fix the problems many claimants face.

“This is one Universal Credit problem the Government can easily fix, by providing people with the right advice on how to nominate a loved one to help them, and by making the process to do it much easier, simpler and user-friendly,” he said.

It's not the only issue Universal Credit claimants have come up against recently.

Earlier this month, Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey said the £20 a week boost claimants have received since April will be axed by winter.

Plus, we revealed last week that a pot of emergency cash for struggling Brits on Universal Credit has been slashed by £3million in a year.

A freedom of information request by The Sun found that the Flexible Support Fund (FSF) shrunk from £40.7million in the 2018/19 tax year to £37.8million the following year.

One million Brits could have benefit payments stopped including Universal Credit unless they act now.

What is a Universal Credit advance payment? Here's how to apply and pay it back.

Universal Credit's tax on workers should be cut to help struggling Brits back into employment, a new think tank report has said.