A LANCASTER man says he faces life on the streets after his dream job with an internet company turned in to a nightmare.

Two months into an exciting career with a dot.com company Alex Hanff had not received a penny in wages and, after complaining, he was given a cheque that bounced.

He decided to resign and take the company to an industrial tribunal but it was when he turned to the welfare system for support that his problems went from bad to worse.

He was given just two hours legal aid to pursue his claim against his former employer, he was refused benefit because he had left his job voluntarily and, with the council's housing benefit department five months behind with new applications, he faces the possibility of eviction.

"It's been an absolute nightmare. I feel like I've been chewed up by the system and spat out," said Alex, whose future looked bright just two months ago.

"I am out of work through no fault of my own, why should anyone work for no pay, but the welfare system has proved to be totally inadequate. They have said I can't claim benefit if I left my job voluntarily and it could take months before I get any housing benefit. I've been given two very small crisis loans but they've said I can't have any more and if I want to try and get the wages I'm owed I face a bill of £96 every time my solicitor writes a letter. I'm at my wits end."

To make matters worse, Alex has just received his council tax bill, even though he faces a five month wait for housing benefit.

"It says something about the council that they are ultra-efficient collecting council tax but can fall five months behind when it comes to paying out benefit. Another thing that upsets me is Legal Aid. I'm entitled to just two hours of it but if I mugged an old lady I'd be entitled to all the Legal Aid I could get. My cupboards are empty and the bills are mounting up."

After several complaints, Alex has finally been granted Jobseeker's Allowance but after paying his rent he is left with just £15 a week to feed and cloth himself and pay his bills.

He says his situation highlights how people can fall through the so-called welfare "safety net" and that many new hi-tech companies flout company law and regulations when dealing with their employees.

From April 23 until June 4 access to staff responsible for the assessment of claims for Housing Benefit / Council Tax Benefit will not be possible by telephone or personal visit to the offices. Facilities will be available at both Lancaster and Morecambe Town Halls for the receipt, verification and photocopying of benefit applications and documents.

Queries with regards to Council Tax and Business Rates issues will still be dealt with in the normal way.

Throughout this period the Council will be assisting those claimants with a genuine emergency such as possible eviction and staff are briefed on how to deal with these cases, which will be given priority.

Richard Mason, Chief Revenues Officer, said: "We apologise for any short-term inconvenience but by taking firm action now we will be able to return to providing a much improved standard of service for our customers in the future."