“I was sleeping on the streets for eight months but now I have a house which the council found for me. I had to be here in Hull for six months before the council would help me. I could not stay in a hostel because I did not have housing benefit. I am very happy now. It is so much better than being on the street.
I cannot stand for too long. I have been very sick. I had a bypass operation and I am diabetic. I got a fridge to store my insulin a few weeks ago because someone from Big Issue North helped me get one. I have been told that I cannot claim ESA and instead I have to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance. I have appealed. I don’t understand. The doctors say that I cannot work, they give me sick notes, but I still must claim Jobseeker’s Allowance.”
Over 17,000 sick and disabled people have died while awaiting welfare benefits since 2013, and over half of homeless people are disabled or chronically ill, compared to 16% of the UK population.
Last year, Big Issue North provided health and wellbeing support 171 times. Please give today to help us to support more vendors like Eugeniusz this Christmas.
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