A DAD who left his job to care for his young daughter says he was told to pretend he was job seeking to get benefits.

Gareth Owen, 26, gave up his £500-a-week driving job to look after three-year-old Sophie, but within days he claims staff told him to pretend he was looking for work.

The Birkby dad, who served with the Army for four years and completed a tour of Kosovo, then faced 25 phone calls to get help – but is still waiting almost four weeks later.

The problems started at the end of August when Mr Owen had to suddenly give up his driving job at Turners in Castleford to become the sole carer for Sophie.

Mr Owen went into the Huddersfield Job Centre on September 21 and was told his Income Support application had failed and it was then he says he was advised to claim Job Seekers Allowance.

He said: “I was told to apply for Income Support then told I wasn’t eligible, then they told me to apply for Job Seekers. I told them I had to give up my job to look after my little girl, but they said to make out that I was looking for work.

“I gave up work for a good reason, so why pretend I am looking for a job just to get some support?

“I have always worked and paid taxes and as soon as I want something back I get messed about.”

The former Fartown High School pupil added: “I didn’t know what else to do, so I went along and spoke to someone.

“I gave up a good job because as a dad I have to care for my daughter, but it seems to count against me. I don’t know if all single dads face this problem.”

He says he made 25 calls to the Job Centre before he was able to speak to anyone, but was then immediately cut off.

After complaining to the Examiner, Mr Owen was told he would be given an emergency appointment, which he is still waiting for.

“It makes me so mad that they mess people about. All I want is some advice on what to do to provide the best for my daughter.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said they could not discuss individual cases but added: “We are sorry if someone is not satisfied with the service they have received from us. We are committed to providing an effective, efficient service which meets our customers’ needs.

“Benefit claims can be complex and ensuring entitlement to a benefit will require collection of information and details about personal circumstances which need to be verified, and this may take time. We endeavour to process claims as promptly as possible within these constraints.”