A MUM-OF-EIGHT has told how she’s struggling to feed her kids after her benefits were “slashed”.
Pam Booth, 51, receives £274-a-month in Universal Credit while studying to become a teaching assistant for kids with special needs.
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Out of that, £270 is spent on her renting her flat in Leeds, West Yorkshire, leaving next to nothing for food – forcing the mum to rely on food banks for support.
Pam says her being a student means she receives less Universal Credit than if she was just unemployed.
She has friends who take upwards of £300 in benefits while not working.
The lack of funds leaves her struggling to feed her four youngest kids, aged 13, 15, 17 and 21. The eldest four – aged 21, 23, 27 and 29 – live elsewhere.
Pam also has to provide for her pet chihuahua and her daughter’s Staffordshire bull terrier.
The mum said: “I’m a student and I get money knocked off for being a student.
“Without coming [to the food bank] I wouldn’t be able to eat.
“I’ve got to pay rent at £270 a month and the rest of my bills and that lot.
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“It’s been well and truly [challenging] because when you get bills coming in, you’re thinking ‘how on earth are you going to pay that?’”
Pam says the Universal Credit system needs to change.
She added: “When you’re a student, you get money deducted [from Universal Credit] for being a student.
“They knock your money off. And it’s like ‘Hold on a minute! They should be giving us more money because of the fact we’re getting off us backsides and going out and doing something!’
“Why can’t students be given more money? Get them out there, get them doing more.”
Pam says there are a lot of people visiting the foodbank who are “really truly struggling”.
The student teaching assistant is currently training at the Bishop Young Church of England Academy.
Teaching kids is “close” to her heart as she has two children with special needs.
One of her daughters has cerebral palsy and another has Williams syndrome, a developmental disorder which affects many parts of the body.
Pam has said her current situation is “worth the struggle to improve other children’s lives” when she is fully qualified.
But you start studying it’s likely to affect your Universal Credit claim – even if you don’t take out a student loan or grant.
If you decide to study part time and take out a student loan, you will be entitled to claim Universal Credit as long as you can still meet your Universal Credit work related requirements.
This means you need to continue to search for a job while studying.
It may be possible to get your work related commitments reduced if your course can be considered to be preparing you for your work.
Brits should speak to their work coach about this.
Earlier, The Sun revealed five big money changes in August that you need to know – including Universal credit direct payments.
And Universal Credit claimants and those on state pensions no longer get their money sent to Post Office card accounts in a huge change.
This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
