A part-time NHS worker was left "scared" after the DWP suspended his Universal Credit payments without warning - leaving him unable to feed his daughter.
Cesar Zanin, 44, said he was forced to borrow money from friends to pay his bills when none of his payments came through on January 20.
The dad-of-one, who lives in Bristol with his daughter Laura, said the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) didn't inform him that his payments would be stopped after Christmas.
Instead, he was later told by the DWP that the payments had been frozen because he hadn't provided enough information about a childcare provider, the Bristol Post reports.
But Zanin, who lives in temporary accommodation, said he supplied this information, including screenshots and payment confirmation emails.
"I checked my statements and there was nothing," Zanin told the Bristol Post, recalling the moment he realised what was happening.
"I checked it the following day and the day after, and there was still nothing there. I got really scared.
Have you had an issue with Universal Credit? Get in touch: emma.munbodh@mirror.co.uk
"They didn't sanction me, they didn't suspend my childcare costs reimbursements but the fact is my Universal Credit was completely stopped, with no formal notification.
"I had to borrow money from friends. I was depressed.
"I work part-time for the NHS and rely on paid childcare so life is not easy. It was a low-blow to be honest.
"To say there's red tape is an understatement."
After a fortnight of going back and forth with the DWP, Zanin eventually received his payments, minus his usual childcare costs.
However, he says he fears his payments may be suddenly stopped again in the future.
"I feel insecure," he said. "Many people are suffering a lot more though.
"My story is not among the most terrible - it does not involve rightful claimants who were pushed into debt or, even worse, starved to death after having their Universal Credit payments suspended for no apparent reason.
"I think it is emblematic though to portrait how austerity is ruining the welfare state in the UK."
A DWP spokesperson said: "Zanin’s Universal Credit payment was delayed after he submitted two childcare receipts for the same month.
"He received his full payment after jobcentre staff checked that the childcare arrangements were genuine.
"To learn more about the childcare support on Universal Credit, you can check online."
