[Osem]

The benefit system can be incredibly harsh and difficult for some people but a lot simpler and more generous for others. The guy on the radio exemplifies the plight of many single men who, when they hit hard times, find their needs come way down at the bottom of the system's list of priorities. Make him a female with children and he'd automatically qualify for housing, be getting child benefit etc. I believe this is largely why there are so many more men sleeping rough (as he was forced to do) than women.

For those living right on the edge who qualify for minimal help, it's easy to see how even a delay in their payments would be a very serious problem and quite possibly result in them becoming homeless and on a very slippery downwards slope. For others, the range of benefits (e.g. automatic or non-means tested) and support available to them would mitigate the temporary loss of a few of their payments.

I have every sympathy for this guy and all those like him who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in serious difficulties with no way out. For them, 'life on benefits' amounts to a stark and thoroughly miserable existence whilst for some at the other end of the spectrum it amounts to a lifestyle choice.