I live in a housing association property & get £2k a month in universal credit & PIP – but I still rely on food banks

A SINGLE mum who has to use her son's buggy as a walker due to her health says she's living in “dread” after Labour announced its benefit cuts.

Katie McGill, 39, suffers with anxiety, depression, and fibromyalgia – a chronic pain condition.

Katie, who has an 18-month old son, has been getting by on Universal Credit (UC) since she had to quit her job as a call handler due to constant pain, brain fog, and persistent worries in 2018.

She was awarded Personal Independence Payment (PIP) last summer to help her afford taxis so she can get out and about more easily, and other adjustments.

The Government announced a raft of measures on March 18 to get people off benefits and into work – with a particular focus on people with mental-health difficulties.

It will make it harder for people with less severe conditions to claim disability payments.

Katie, who said her anxiety and pain mean she can't leave the house, or often even her bed, up to four times a week, said she started having panic attacks as soon as she heard of the Government plan.

She fears mental health illnesses won't be considered valid reasons not to work and she'll be forced to try to get a job, which she won't be able to manage.

And she worries that tougher criteria for claiming PIP might mean she will lose money.

Katie, from Chippenham, Wiltshire, said: “I'm absolutely terrified all the time since I saw this on the news.

“The thought of losing the money I rely on or having to try to do a job I know I can't manage is extremely frightening.

“Just the thought of it is totally overwhelming and brings on a panic attack.

“I'm living in dread.

“It's really demoralising to be asked to do something you know you can't do and life is tough enough already. This shows a real lack of compassion on the part of the government.

“I hate living on benefits but there's no way I'd get through a day's work. I'd love to, but it just isn't possible for me.

“I loved my job and wish I could still do it, it's extremely sad and painful to have to keep justifying why I'm not able to.

“I'd love the government to walk in our shoes for a month – they'd never cope.

“I'm so grateful for the money I get but it's not a lot to live on.

“I can't understand why they're targeting the most vulnerable and the least well off, they're more like a Tory government than a Labour one.”

Katie's fibromyalgia gives her pain over her whole body, and her sciatica means she has severe back pain and numbness in her limbs.

Some days it takes her half an hour just to wash her hair because movement is so painful.

Four days a week she's housebound because she's too anxious to go out, or in too much pain, and even if she can get out the door, she uses her son's buggy like a walker and needs to rest after a few hundred yards.

She's suffered from anxiety and depression for over 20 years, and has tried over 20 medications for anxiety, depression, and pain relief.

She said: “People still don't believe mental health illnesses are real, this government announcement really shows that.

“People think anxiety is a bit of worry but it's actually horrible to live with.

“Panic attacks are extremely debilitating, and can leave me physically sick every day for up to three months.”

Everything you need to know about Universal Credit

• What is Universal Credit? Everything you need to know including how to apply
• Universal Credit calculator: How much can I claim and how do I apply?
• Universal Credit login: How do I sign in to my online account?
• How much can I earn before Universal Credit is reduced and do I get a work allowance?
• What is a Universal Credit advance payment? How to apply and pay it back
• Are Universal Credit payments going up and how much more will I get?
• How to claim Universal Credit if you’re self-employed
• How many hours can I work on Universal Credit and will my payment be reduced?
• What is a Universal Credit budgeting advance and how much could I get?
• What is the Universal Credit housing element and how much of your rent does it pay?

Katie gets £900 from UC and child tax credits each month, and £593 PIP to help her live a full and independent life, and her £560-a-month rent to a housing association is paid by UC.

But after paying her bills and buying food there's nothing left over for outings or treats, she said.

Katie spends £20 on taxis to get to and from places like the local shop.

It costs her £30 to get to the supermarket to shop or to the pharmacy to pick up her medications.

She said: “People think living on benefits is a choice but it really isn't. Nobody would make the choice to live like this – always scraping around to get enough money together to go to the shop.

“I run out of money and sometimes have to rely on food banks because the cost of living is so crazy at the moment, and benefits haven't been brought in line with that.

“There are people earning millions who have the spare cash to pop out and buy a Gucci handbag without a second thought.

“Why are the government targeting people who rely on food banks rather than raising money through a wealth tax? It makes no sense.”