A victim of sexual abuse in North London is confronted with the grim reality of choosing between purchasing food or maintaining personal hygiene after her monthly Universal Credit payment was drastically reduced from £400.14 to £94. Rachel, a 40-year-old whose name has been altered to ensure her privacy, is striving to rebuild her life following the incarceration of her abuser, who was sentenced to six years in prison. She expressed that the deductions imposed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) leave her feeling degraded and complicate her recovery journey.
Over time, Rachel has faced multiple deductions due to the benefit cap, advance payments, debts, loans, and fines. Following the death of her mother, she lost contact with her family and entered a relationship with her former partner, which led to two years of abuse and coercive control. This abusive relationship culminated in a harrowing incident where Rachel was tied up and sexually assaulted with metal instruments. She managed to escape before the trial, seeking refuge in a women’s shelter, and later reestablished connections with her sisters, eventually moving into shared accommodation.
Financial Struggles and Emotional Toll
Initially, a DWP error resulted in her benefits being deposited into her abusive ex-partner’s bank account before they were redirected to her sister. At that time, Rachel was receiving between £295 and £315 monthly, but her payments plummeted to £57 in April of last year, with a slight increase to £94 in June, where they have remained. Rachel argues that the severity of the deductions is excessive, stating it makes her feel as if she is “being treated like an animal.”
“It gets to me,” Rachel shared. “I’m upset and angry over it, it makes me feel worthless. I don’t even get £25 a week. I have to choose whether I buy food or buy shampoo and conditioner but go hungry. I feel like things have got worse for me. I’d rather get a smack in the face than lose my money and not be able to wash and buy food.”
Rachel’s sister, Tracey, whose name has also been changed, attempts to provide support through occasional cash transfers and home-cooked meals, but she too is grappling with financial difficulties. “I often lie in bed crying,” Tracey remarked. “I say to her ‘you’re so strong.’”
Living Conditions and Limited Resources
Currently, Rachel resides with individuals facing similar challenges. Since moving into shared housing, she has resorted to subsisting on tinned food stored in her bedroom, as items placed in the communal kitchen cupboards tend to disappear almost immediately. Once a month, Rachel indulges in a Belgian bun and a cup of tea at Greggs, which she describes as one of the few pleasures she has left.
“She’s not surviving; she’s basically hanging on by a thread,” Tracey added. “Absolutely nobody could live on this money. They’ve not signposted her at all; it’s all left to family who are also struggling at the moment. I wish I could do all the things that need doing for her as it’s horrible to see her suffering, but I’m also struggling with two very young children.”
Since the end of her abusive relationship, Rachel has found it challenging to secure employment. “The government needs to do more to help me,” she concluded. “I’ve been pressured to find a job since just 10 days after the court case, but I’m finding it really hard.”
A spokesperson for the DWP stated, “We are sorry to hear about her situation. She is receiving the correct Universal Credit payment, which has been reduced as a result of deductions over time.”
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Bildquelle: ai-generated
