We were asked to help a young woman who up until the 21st December last year was working. She has attended a couple of job interviews but so far has not had any success in securing employment. She is in the process of applying for benefits but has failed to get the application completed as she does not yet have a bank account. To apply for an advance on her Universal Credit payment, she’d need a bank account. Her friend will accept the first payment for her but is away until after the weekend. In the meantime where she is staying is freezing cold and she has absolutely no money for food or heating. We agreed to send her £70 to tide her over until her friend returns home.