The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Fife Mum in debt after move to new benefits
Five-week wait for first payment after changing to Universal Credit
A Kelty mum has told how the controversial Universal Credit benefit plunged her into more than £1,000 of debt after she was forced to wait five weeks for the first payment.
Michelle Melville had her benefits changed over to the new system in February this year after previously receiving around £1,600 a month.
The 40-year-old is now trying to provide for her two young children and maintain a warm home on £720 a month.
She found herself falling into rent and council tax arrears and was forced to borrow money from friends and family which she is slowly paying back.
Michelle, who now suffers panic attacks and is on antidepressants as a result of the stress, has issued her heartfelt thanks to charity Fife Gingerbread for its support.
The single mum said: “I moved house from a private let into this house and I got told I was having to go on to Universal Credit.
“I was told I would have to go five weeks without any money.
“It was complete hell trying to get things for the house without any money so I had to get an advance which you pay back monthly.
“You can’t get a crisis loan without
I get my money every fortnight and pay my bills, buy food and that’s me skint on the same day. MICHELLE MELVILLE
getting an advance so that immediately put me into debt when I had always been debt free until going on to Universal Credit.
“I’ve just this week managed to pay off a friend who lent me money. But I’ve still got tax credits to pay back, rent arrears and council tax to pay back.
“I get my money every fortnight and pay my bills, buy food and that’s me skint on the same day.”
She said the stress had taken a toll on her health. “I constantly worry that I’m going to lose my house. I’ve had to use food banks,” she said.
“Every fortnight I have chosen between food, heating the house or buying clothes for the kids.”
Michelle said the prospect of paying for Christmas was heaping more anxiety on her. “I don’t sleep worrying about it all,” she said.
“I have looked at trying to get a job but the cost of childcare is just too high. I could never afford it.”
Michelle was introduced to Fife Gingerbread which supports lone parents, vulnerable and disadvantaged families. She now volunteers and offers advice to other struggling families.
The charity can be contacted via fifegingerbread.org.uk.
A DWP spokesperson said:“The best way to help people pay their rent and to improve their lives is to support them into work and Universal Credit is helping people move into work faster and stay in work longer than the old system.
“We’ve made significant improvements to Universal Credit, such as removing the seven waiting days, paying two weeks’ extra housing support for claimants moving on to Universal Credit and increasing advance payments to 100% which can be repaid over a period of up to 12 months.”