A woman who was recently in receipt of contributions based Employment Support Allowance, was encouraged to apply for Universal Credit to help with her housing costs. She was advised to take an advance on her Universal Credit payment to cover the first months rent/deposit on her new home. This has meant she is now having £50 deducted each month to repay the advance payment, plus another £50 deduction because of a tax credit over-payment. As a new tenant she is now at high risk of losing her home because she is in rent arrears and unable to catch up. The stress and anxiety of this is only making matters worse and seriously impacting on her mental health. She is without money for food or to top up her energy meters so we agreed to send her £100 to help her. Our agents are assisting her with her benefits situation, which will hopefully improve before too long.