Stephen Collinson ended up staying in hostels for over a year after his Universal Credit payout did not come through as expected. The 30-year-old man was found dead in his room and, his inquest was told, a large quantity of ethanol was found in his blood during a postmortem examination.
Stephen's plight began when wages were delayed from a factory role in October 2019. This meant, the court heard, he was not eligible for Universal Credit payment in December that year and struggled to pay rent, causing him to move into hostels.
Weeks before he died in May 2021, Stephen had lost a close friend to suicide and was feeling very low about it, the court heard.
And Lorraine Harris, area coroner for Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire, yesterday recorded Stephen's death as a result of suicide.
Speaking at the inquest in Hull, Fern Rivett, Stephen's ex-partner and mother to his daughter, Darcy, said: "He will be well and thoroughly missed, I just wish he got the help he needed or came to us."
His sister-in law, Katie Campion, said: "He was a loving uncle and both my children adored him."
Stephen had also been very close with his brother throughout his life, particularly following their parents' divorce, reports Hull Live.
Stephen's last hostel - the one in which he was discovered dead on May 28 last year - was called Doorstep of Hull and was near the Inglemire area of the city. It has some 160 beds.
But Stephen had an argument with another resident there on the day before he died, the coroner heard.
Other than that row, the housing support officer at Doorstep said Stephen was a well-balanced person who had never had any concerns raised about him.
In a statement read out in court, the housing officer said: "Stephen got on well with the others, he was a very nice person who often cooked food for other people living in the accommodation."
Giving her verdict, Ms Harris said: "He ended his life with the apprehension of being homeless, but the housing group was fully supportive of him."
Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit for people who are on a low income.
It was initially introduced as a way to replace and combine six different benefits including Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Working Tax Credit.
It's paid monthly - or twice a month for some people in Scotland - and can help significantly with living costs.
If you are struggling and have suicidal thoughts, know you are not alone and that help is available. Please contact any one of the following. In the UK, you can call the Samaritans free on 116 123 (the number will not appear on your telephone bill) or email jo@samaritans.org. In America, The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a network of more than 160 crisis centres that provide a 24-hour-a-day service via a free hotline on 00-1-800-273-8255. Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. Call 13-11-14. Help is ALWAYS available. If you need it, reach out.