{ "publishedBy": "rOISUynFBNUZFrEibOysifH0R9F2", "audited": 1628070251750, "moderated": false, "user": "vjKdzwhvrEcBDUejFmpEEc3J79R2", "updated": 1628070540378, "updatedBy": "rOISUynFBNUZFrEibOysifH0R9F2", "tags": [ "UEDo6iek9ovacDJyBIu0", "9NhUzpuQEa863xu8Nrhg", "xUfohvaJSKTlYdwicbFG", "8o2Y49rU7fVcYSvx7gl9" ], "id": "OFBrv7jqEcvxknzwazVs", "diary": { "body": "I joined Universal Credit in August 2020 so even though I'm aware the £20 extra is in there to me this is my normal support. I worry about the future when I'm looking to another long hard cold winter with £20 a week less to live on. It stresses me and creates anxiety when I think about how I will manage. I'm fairly good with my money, I make it last, I never have a penny left once everything essential is paid. Taking this £20 away from myself and my child could mean I can't afford to pay the extra for my rent driving me into rent arrears or I won't be able to pay for oil to heat our home. There is a minimum order of £100 and that's only essentials. My car I'm already falling behind on its maintenance and I need it for my work as a childminder but it may have to go. I live in a rural village where public transport is sparse enough. Myself and my child would be further isolated away from society, I would have to shop local cutting me off from affordable choices such a red label discounted food products. I don't drink, smoke or socialise as I can't afford to, cutting me further off I worry about my own mental health, I'm already at counselling because of depression and pain management this will just compound it even more as I'm already balancing on a tightrope. I want the government to really think hard about this. £20 a week for me and my child so I don't have to rely on charity food banks, I can keep my car and have heating and food, I can have a little dignity and keep trying to get my foot up the ladder out of the big dark abyss of Universal Credit but this feels like I've a foot on my head pushing me down again because I don't deserve a chance. A chance to even try to improve my life to get out of this rut and become self reliant.", "uploads": [], "mood": 5 }, "type": "diary", "created": 1627406901680, "published": 1628070251750, "auditedBy": "rOISUynFBNUZFrEibOysifH0R9F2", "privacy": 2, "alias": "Teddy W", "random": 50, "objectID": "OFBrv7jqEcvxknzwazVs" }