Voluntary organisations in Huddersfield are being swamped with enquiries due to a “collapse” in the welfare system safety net, a new report claims.
Research by the voluntary and community sector body Involving the Yorkshire & Humber region says that as many as seven recent benefit changes have left vulnerable people confused.
In desperation they have turned to voluntary groups, such as Kirklees Citizens’ Advice & Law Centre in Huddersfield and Dewsbury, putting them under pressure.
Involve’s report says the changes have caused an “unsustainable surge” in demand “as the welfare safety net collapses.”
The report found that 80% of the 222 organisations quizzed have seen their workload increase since April 2013 and 95% report “negative impacts” of welfare reforms.
Some organisations are said to be at “breaking point” and the report warns that sanctions, complicated IT processes and systems and delays in benefits all hit vulnerable people the hardest.
Nick Whittingham, chief executive officer of Kirklees Citizens Advice & Law Centre, described the process of accessing disability benefits as “a complete shambles with huge backlogs, delays of many months for assessments.”
He said people were often left without benefits while lengthy reviews were carried out.
Jane Hustwit, acting chief executive for Involve, said: “Involve’s report highlights an over-burdened voluntary sector creaking under the weight of supporting people – many of whom are becoming destitute – through the complex welfare system to access basic food, accommodation and support.
“The voluntary sector provides advice, support and care services throughout the region. Welfare reforms and thoughtless sanctions have placed unprecedented pressure on the sector, increasing demand while funding is being cut.
“These organisations are a vital lifeline for the region’s most vulnerable people. But many are in danger of closure, and their support networks being lost forever.”
Kirklees Citizens Advice & Law Centre, formerly Kirklees Citizens’ Advice Bureau, has seen its funding from Kirklees Council cut by around 45% or £365,000 a year.
A year after celebrating its 75th anniversary, it was forced to axe eight jobs with chief executive Mark Lacey taking voluntary redundancy. In 2013-14 the centre helped 1,994 clients with £10 million in debts, up by 25%.
