For me, being moved into Universal Credit, from the relative security of Income Support, and the pressures there of was emotionally difficult. Leading to feelings of worthlessness, shame and dread that made me want to cry most days. Those early days on universal credit were some of my darker days since leaving the ex, where I was reminded that freedom in the modern world is determined by income. I fear finding work, and having to compromise on my children's safety from my ex. I fear not finding work and being shamed and dehumanised on benefits for the long term. Cos when you're on benefits for too long it must always be the claimants fault, not the systems, so the claimant gets punished, sanctioned or forced to do ultimately unhelpful training just to make it look like the gov is trying to help. It's bull.
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Covid Realities
is a collaboration between the Universities of
York and Birmingham, and
Child Poverty Action Group. The project has been funded by the Nuffield Foundation
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