A “disgusted” north-east man has claimed he will be unable to feed himself after he received just a penny of benefits to last him a month.
Iain Cuthbert claims Universal Credit as he is currently out of work, while waiting for his primary teacher qualifications from England to transfer to Scotland.
But when he went to the post office to collect his cash last week he was given a cheque marked 1p.
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) last night said his usual payment was reduced significantly because he had previously received more money than he was entitled to, while doing temporary agency work.
But last night, Mr Cuthbert said he was “flabbergasted” and “disgusted” by the DWP’s decision.
The 33-year-old, of Cairncry Road, Aberdeen, said: “What’s the point? The cost of generating, administration, printing and postage must be well over the one penny they have paid out.
“Basically at the moment I’ve got an empty fridge, I’ve inquired about how to sign up for a food bank but I need to wait for a letter of introduction.”
Mr Cuthbert has been told he will have to wait till his next payment, on December 3, before he receives any more money.
And he has hit out at the benefits system and compared his plight to the eponymous character in film I, Daniel Blake.
“It’s like a machine. I actually saw I, Daniel Blake the Tuesday before this happened, the whole film is about this guy who’s wronged by the benefits system, that’s how I feel.”
Last night, the DWP said that the new benefits system meant Mr Cuthbert’s payment had been automatically changed to reflect his earnings while he was carrying out agency work.
A spokesman said: “Universal Credit payments adjust automatically every month when a claimant takes on work and earns money, making temporary or agency work a viable stepping stone back into full-time employment. It also means claimants are better off in work, as is the case here.
“Mr Cuthbert’s next payment will automatically adjust in line with any earnings he may have in that month.”
