VOLUNTEERS at Ledbury Food Bank say they are bracing themselves for serious problems ahead, because they fear that the introduction of the Universal Credits system could lead to further hardship for the town's most vulnerable people.

They are warning that the new benefits system could even lead to destitution.

The roll out of Universal Credit, which replaces several in and out of work benefits with a monthly payment for people of working age, is set to begin in Hereford this month, with an aim to make it possible for claimants to register in Ledbury by the end of the year, although this is not yet set in stone.

A Government information site currently says of the Ledbury postcode area: "It is expected that the majority of people in your postcode area will be eligible to make a claim for universal credit in the future, with the full service expected to have rolled-out across the UK by the end of 2018. However, the exact date when that will happen in your postcode area has not yet been announced."

When Universal Credit system is rolled out in Ledbury, and elsewhere, it will replace a number of benefits including Housing Benefit; Income Support; Jobseeker's Allowance; Income-related Employment and Support Allowance; Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.

Martin Ham, a spokesman for Ledbury Food Bank said: "This will make a major financial shake-up for many.

"Claims for Universal Credit have to be made on-line, a high hurdle for many, and the long and complicated application form can be rejected for small errors, pushing payments back by many weeks."

He added: "After acceptance of the claim there is a five week wait for payments to start. This comes at a time when only last week the government position was that already about 1.5 million in the UK can be described, in their words, as “destitute”.

"The food bank cannot help with the completion of the application forms. But volunteers will help all those in need of food due to the introduction of the new system, and also advise them where to go for help with the Universal Credit application form."

The food bank is open at St Katherine’s Hall from 10am to noon every Wednesday and Friday.