I was forced to drink vegetable juice to stay alive after my benefits were slashed but I took the government on and won
A FORMER NHS worker who says he was forced to survive on vegetable juice after having his benefits slashed took on the government and won.
Desperate Errol Livingstone refused to turn the oven on after losing £88-a-week from his monthly £319.84 Universal Credit payment.
Left with just £7-a-day to survive, the 57-year-old says he was forced to drink green vegetable juice and even Greggs became a "luxury".
But after winning a long-running appeal to get his money back, the fuming former call handler told : "There was no apology or explanation.
"I had to get a short-term loan to tide me over, which I will have to pay back through my Universal Credit."
Errol, from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, lost £11 a day for eight days after he missed a course on interview techniques.
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He says he was under the impression the course - provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) who manage benefits - was optional due to his experience in recruitment.
But the DWP later informed the former call handler he should have been there and he was sanctioned as a result.
Errol, who at his lowest had to take food from his elderly mum, branded the sanctions as being "imposed" on him.
And he lashed out at the DWPs "awful system" for not giving him "any right to reply" to explain his position to officials.
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Errol had been on Universal Credit for four months since leaving his role as a call handler for the NHS when the saga erupted in July.
It came amid a torrid time for Errol who was already struggling with his bills and food prices amid the cost of living crisis.
Errol, who owns his house, previously told ChronicleLive: "I have an oven but I could never put anything in the oven that takes too long to cook, it would be uneconomical.
"I'm cautious of boiling the kettle as I know that would cost. I try not to use the microwave very often either.
A spokesman from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) said: “Sanctions are only used in a small number of cases.
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"If a claimant disagrees with a decision to impose a sanction, they can ask for this to be reconsidered.
"Mr Livingstone’s appeal found in his favour and we have paid all benefits due to him. We continue to support him with his job search.”
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
It's important you do not miss Universal Credit meetings - or you may get sanctioned
it is just one of a number of mistakes UC claimants can do which can see them get their benefits withdrawn.
This includes things like not accepting a job offer, missing an interview or meeting at the job centre, and failing to update your personal information.
How much is deducted can depend on the reason and if you've been sanctioned before.
Sanctions are split into four categories; lowest level, low level, medium level, and high level.
The penalty only applies to the standard element of Universal Credit.
Any extra cash through the housing or childcare elements will still be paid.
Anyone who's been sanctioned unfairly can contact the DWP and ask for a "mandatory reconsideration".