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A young autistic man with learning disabilities has not had any income for more than SIX MONTHS amid a Universal Credit wrangle.

Jon*, 22, who had been in foster care since he was ten, is now on the verge of eviction from his council flat.

He told how he felt 'abandoned and unable to cope' with the pressure of trying to make ends meet on his own.

Due to problems with his applications for Universal Credit , compounded by his health issues, Jon has not received any Universal Credit payments since October - more than six months ago.

(Image: Birmingham Mail/Nick Wilkinson)

His rent arrears have piled up and now total £5,830, triggering the eviction notice from Birmingham City Council.

He has been relying on the kindness of friends and foodbanks for his survival.

Jon, a talented photographer hoping to one day set up as a freelance, said: "I get really stressed and find things like forms and letters hard to cope with sometimes.

"Learning I was about to be evicted was a total shock. I did not know how bad things had got. It just sent me in to a panic and I don't know what to do.

"I left foster care when I was 18, and initially was living in supported accommodation. There was someone downstairs and I had a meeting every week to talk about things.

"But for more than a year I've been on my own in a flat and have no help. It's the same for lots of kids leaving care, we're just abandoned.

"My friend's mum looks out for me but she is having money difficulties. To lose this flat would be horrible. I've not had any help, it's really bad.

"I don't think I matter to them at all, I'm just another foster kid they don't need to help any more."

(Image: Birmingham Mail)

He added: "I know kids with worse disabilities than mine who are on their own day after day. I'm lucky I've got friends to rely on and know brilliant people like Olly."

'Olly' is Northfield councillor Olly Armstrong , who has known Jon through youth initiatives he runs in the area. Until recently he had no idea how dire Jon's circumstances had become.

He accompanied Jon to County Court on Monday, April 8 over the rent arrears owed on his one-bed flat in Woodcock Lane, Northfield, and helped ensure the case was adjourned to give time to try again to resolve Jon's difficulties with Universal Credit.

While waiting to be called in for the case, Jon received a text message from his electricity provider to say his electricity had been disconnected because of insufficient funds in his smart account - meaning he was heading home to a flat without light or heat.

(Image: Olly Armstrong)

Coun Armstrong said: "It is heartbreaking. A lot of well intentioned people are now trying to help him and doing their best but they are working in a system that is lacking in compassion and is massively understaffed.

"He is one of many vulnerable people who need more support.

"It is only by chance that I found out about his court appearance and turned up to support him and make his case for him to encourage an adjournment. He might otherwise be getting evicted.

"It is kindness by chance. We are providing care as an emergency service and that is not good enough."

Sheba Sheiybani is a duty advisor from the Citizens' Advice Bureau who supports people in need at the County Court, often including families with young children facing home repossession or eviction.

(Image: Jerome Ellerby)

She represented Jon during his brief hearing.

She said: "His case is very typical of many we see involving vulnerable people, and young families. In his case he has been receiving no income since October.

"The impact of Universal Credit for some people, especially vulnerable people and people with mental health issues, is really bad. This is not an isolated case by any means."

(Image: PA)

For Jon, the future remains uncertain, but it looks likely that extra support will be coming his way.

He is meeting with the city's rent service this week to discuss his plight and to be supported in a further Universal Credit application and request to backdate it to 2017.

Doing so should mean he can meet his rent arrears and start to get back on his feet.

Coun Armstrong took him to a local food bank to stock up his store cupboard and sorted out electricity credits to ensure he did not go cold over the next few days.

Jon is also looking for work and continuing to pursue his dream of one day using his photography and video skills to become a cinematographer.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “Universal Credit is a force for good and work coaches have the flexibility to support vulnerable individuals when we are made aware of their circumstances.

“People may have their benefits reduced if they repeatedly fail to attend appointments they’ve agreed to, but there are safeguards in place to stop people falling into financial hardship.”

*A delve into Jon's instagram account threw up some stunning examples of his photos - see gallery below.

'This case is not unique'

Birmingham City Council data shows that Jon's case is far from unique.

Council tenants are currently in rent arrears of around £12.5 million - of which nearly £5 million relates to households receiving Universal Credit.

(Image: Birmingham Mail)

Cllr John Cotton, Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Community Safety and Equalities, said: "A third of our arrears relates to people on Universal Credit, but 59.41 per cent of this caseload already had arrears prior to its introduction, which clearly has made problems worse for many struggling with their finances."

He added that the council has an Eviction Prevention Panel that reviews all scheduled evictions to see if any steps can be taken to help tenants stay in their homes.

He said: "Our Eviction Prevention Panel reviews all scheduled evictions before they take place, to see what steps can be taken...looking at the benefits they’re entitled to, what they receive and any vulnerabilities. Since December 2016, this panel has cancelled 158 evictions, helping people stay in their homes.”

The Eviction Prevention Panel consists of officers from rents, benefits, homeless prevention, revenues and Think Family - who review the cases collectively - to see if any further help or support can be offered.

Nearly 10,000 city council tenants have housing costs paid as part of their Universal Credit entitlement.

A report going to the city's neighbourhoods and housing overview and scrutiny committee this week (Tuesday April 9) says: "Universal Credit has continued to have a significant impact on rent arrears."

There has also been further strain on council resources - for example, council tax arrears are also increasing, the report says.

*We are not using Jon's full name at his request .