Of course, there will always be people who have hard times, sometimes temporary, sometimes always (not always poor people, well off people have tremendous difficulties too of a different kind). The point of this thread is, I think, how they can be helped, how those that are destitute are let down by government agencies.
I've re-read the article about this poor woman and she was so let down. People with mental health problems are often so defenceless and give up easily. The Benefits system is notoriously difficult to navigate. It's all very well for the DWP to say that they understand appointments cannot always be kept and they will re-arrange but her mother actually went in and told them her daughter was in hospital. As for appealing, yes she could do that but it's a difficult and lengthy procedure and what would she have done for money in the meantime?
It's a disgrace. There have been several similar cases recently, including suicide, of people desperate and destitute after benefit cuts.
It could happen to any of us or a member of our family, life is full of twists and turns.
