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A paralysed man and his carer husband are on the brink of homelessness after describing a nightmare situation with Universal Credit and the benefits system.

Dean Simpson-Humphreys says he has been left feeling suicidal as he watches his husband's health deteriorate and fears they may end up on the street.

Dean and Gary were featured in the ECHO earlier this year, when they spoke of the horrific situation three years ago in which Gary woke up from a nap on the couch and found he couldn't move because of a tumour on his spinal chord.

The shocking situation has left former nurse Gary, 37, relying on a wheelchair to get around and requiring round the clock care from Dean - who also had to leave his job in the NHS.

(Image: James Maloney/Liverpool Echo)

The struggling couple are now completely reliant on benefits and say their current situation has left them relying on foodbanks every week, asking charities for help, and desperately fearing what might happen next.

Dean said: "Since we spoke to the ECHO, we have had to go over to Universal Credit and at the moment we are in rent arrears.

"We were told our rent would be paid but the maximum amount we have had through Universal Credit is £12 for some months it has been zero pounds.

"Before Gary fell ill we were both in full time jobs in the NHS that we loved, which we had to leave. We were originally on housing benefit, ESA and PIP benefits and I got a carer's allowance for looking after him.

"Nothing has changed [in our situation] but we are now struggling massively with the amount we are getting."

Dean said their situation has left them with rent arrears - meaning the rent at their house in Gateacre isn't getting paid and they worry they could soon be homeless.

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

He said: "We have rent arrears, which means we can't now pay our rent - we have been seeing charities and foodbanks just to get by.

"I think I will need to declare myself bankrupt but I haven't actually got the money to do that."

Explaining the enormous impact the situation has had on his mental health, he added: "I have been suicidal on several occasions. I have just felt that I have exhausted every avenue and have had nowhere else to turn.

"I would love to go back to work but it would cost us too much and leave us even worse off in terms of care costs.

"Gary's health is deteriorating by the day, he needs help getting out of bed, showering and needs his food preparing - it is heartbreaking to see what is happening to him.

"We have just been told that his tumour may have grown again and he could need another operation.

"We are living on the brink of homelessness every single day."

(Image: James Maloney/Liverpool Echo)

When the ECHO contacted the Department of Work and Pensions about Gary and Dean's situation they insisted that the couple receive more than £2,000 in benefits and other income each month.

A spokesman for the department said: "We are committed to ensuring that disabled people get the full support that they need.

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"Gary and Dean Simpson-Humphreys are receiving over £2,000 in benefits and other income every month, which is why their Universal Credit payments have varied. They have received all of the benefits support they are entitled to.

"We are also paying any benefit available to their landlord towards their rent and have referred the couple for budgeting advice sessions to ensure they get further help."

But Dean unequivocally stated this is not the amount they are receiving.

He said: "I wish we were getting that - we are not getting anything near that.

"A carers advocate who came to see us last week has spoken to someone at Universal Credit who believes our rent is being added on as though they are paying it to us, but the aren't - and it isn't even going to our landlord."