A dad-of-four who was left unable to buy Christmas presents for his children after his Universal Credit claim was cancelled says he lost sleep over the ordeal.
Simon Walton first noticed there was a problem with his payment last month.
Unable to access his account, he called the Department for Work and Pensions and requested a new pin number after accidentally misplacing his original one.
The 32-year-old was told to wait for an appointment for a new pin.
But a month later, his claim, which he shares with his wife Sophie, was cancelled.
Simon, of Higher Blackley, says his claim was closed as he did not accept the claimant commitment on his account.
He now fears he may not receive his full payment before Christmas and was left worried he can't afford to buy his children presents.
A spokesman for the DWP told the Manchester Evening News they had an old contact number for Simon on their system, and were unable to contact him about a pin number appointment.
Simon says he had recently changed his number and had not yet informed the DWP.
Simon, who works as a crew trainer at McDonald's, told the Manchester Evening News : “The account connected to the old phone number, it asked us to confirm it was us by sending a text to our old phone number.
“It had never done this before.
“I phoned them up and the account had been closed because we hadn’t accepted the claimant commitments.
“I said it wasn’t fair because I had done nothing wrong. I was waiting for them to do their part and send me an email to get an appointment for a pin number.
“They told me I would get a payment that evening by 8pm for £596. I waited for that and didn’t get it.
“They made me a new telephone appointment for a pin number but that won’t be until December 23.
“It’s right before Christmas. Yes, we work but we’re relying on the payment for bills etc.
“We promised the kids we would go and see a pantomime a few days before Christmas. We just feel like it’s going to ruin Christmas if we don’t get this money.”
A spokesman for the DWP says they have been in touch with the couple about reopening their account.
A payment is set to go into their accounts this evening.
Simon continued: “I felt like crying when they told me we weren’t going to be paid.
“I just felt so upset and let down, especially before Christmas.
“It’s so stressful. I’ve come into work this morning and I feel so stressed out.
“We’re worried we’re not going to be able to get the kids presents. We were awake all night last night.
“I just feel like we’re letting the kids down.”
A DWP spokesperson said: “We now have up-to-date contact details for the Waltons and have been in touch with them to reopen their account. A payment will be made to their Universal Credit account this evening [Friday].”
