And she warned that although the number of people using foodbanks is increasing, we have only seen the “tip of the iceberg”.

Speaking from the CAB offices in Barrhead Main Street, she said: “We have definitely seen an increase in the need for foodbanks. In November we issued 80 foodbank vouchers and we are only one of the agencies who issue them.

“The impact of the welfare reforms hasn’t been fully seen yet. We have still to see Universal Credit come in however there are things that are already affecting changes to people’s Disability Living Allowance (DLA) which is now known as Personal Independence Payment (PIP). There has been a huge impact already but we have only just seen the tip of the iceberg. When Universal Credit comes in it will be even more difficult for people.” She said the major need for foodbank vouchers comes from people who have been sanctioned for their benefits and don’t have enough money to live on, and there is the added pressure of fuel poverty with increasing numbers struggling to pay their utility bills.

The problems were highlighted in the organisation’s annual report which showed staff had helped East Renfrewshire residents claim back almost £2.6 million through different routes, including benefit support, tax claims, debt remedies and child tax credits. The document also showed that more than £500,000 was claimed through PIP and DLA alone.

PIP helps with some of the extra costs caused by long-term ill-health or a disability, if you’re aged 16 to 64, with successful claimants receiving between £21.55 and £138.05 a week, depending on how a person’s condition affects them.

However, as Teresa explained, the process of applying for support isn’t always straight forward, leading to more and more people visiting CAB for advice on how to appeal decisions.

She continued: “There is now a big requirement for people to maintain their benefits online, fill in applications online and update change of circumstances. There is the assumption that people have the capacity to do it. That can be very problematic because you are assuming that they have got access to computers when in actual fact many don’t so that’s why we looked for the additional funding for the HERO project which is called Helping East Renfrewshire Online.

“We couldn’t cope with the demand coming in here. We’ve got three interview rooms but you couldn’t set an interview because the job search can take hours but now, for example, we are doing two sessions a week in Voluntary Action East Renfrewshire which has got 14 computers so people can just walk in there whether it be for one-on-one or group support. And we are also working very closely with East Renfrewshire Council’s adult learning services because sadly we’ve got people who not only can’t work computers but can’t read or write as well.” Thankfully, Teresa says it’s not all doom and gloom as the service and support offered by CAB is having a positive impact. Through working closely with local job centres CAB has been able to help reduce the number of people facing sanctions and the HERO scheme is crucial.

Teresa added: “We have got a number of people who have been found fit for work under Employment Support Allowance (ESA) as well and we are having to appeal these decisions because in a lot of cases they can be awarded three points. They have got to get over 15 points to qualify for ESA but when we go to tribunal they are coming out with 18 and 19 points. It’s just about accessing information that’s available for them. With the best will in the world, sometimes people fill in forms and make themselves sound better than they are so when they are being assessed it looks like they are fit when they are clearly not.” The CAB has one paid worker, supported by six volunteers, who co-ordinates the benefit appeal and there is also a concerted effort to help people complete applications in order to ensure they get it right first time to save them having to go to appeal.