Ronald says, “Today I received a letter stating my benefits will no longer be paid. It said, ‘You failed to take advantage of a place on an employment programme’. The appointment was a month ago. My advisor gave me no notice. I have been on the Work Programme for 18 months and have applied for 263 positions. None of them came through ‘the programme’. I am now 30 days from being homeless. Having spent 12 years in higher education and 20 years employed, I am overqualified for most positions. With no work record in the last three years, I am a ‘questionable applicant’, as it is easier to check references on someone recently employed. I am now at the mercy of a 20-year old part-time employee who does not return phone calls or emails except once a week on Mondays.”