Worcester woman says she is struggling on just £16 a month

Julie Harper said, after paying for her home, she has only £16 left from her Universal Credit after losing her job during the pandemic.

She lives in a three-bedroom home, which she used to share with her three children.

But, since they have left home, she now faces a £116.18 monthly bedroom tax.

Miss Harper's rent for the property is £465.53, of which £349.15 is covered.

But, due to the two empty bedrooms, the remaining £116.38 rent is no longer covered every month.

Miss Harper receives an allowance of £334.91 - and used to receive a carer's allowance for her daughter. 

But, as she no longer cares for her, this money was deducted from her benefits and, once the contributions towards housing are taken, she was left with £16 a month to live on.

Miss Harper, of First Avenue, St John's, says she feels £16 a month to live on is nowhere near enough.

She said: "My kids have moved on and left home but I have lived in my house for 22 years, I do not think I should be punished just because my children have left home.

"I simply cannot afford my bills on just £16 a month of Universal credit, I am at the end of my tether."

Miss Harper says she's appealed to her housing provider, Platform, for help, along with the Citizens Advice Bureau, her local MP Robin Walker and her GP but nobody has yet been able to help.

She said: "Platform have given me no support at all and I just do not know where else to turn."

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Screenshot of Miss Harper's Universal Credit payment. (Image: Julie Harper)

Miss Harper says she lost her job at Marks and Spencer during the pandemic and has struggled ever since.

She said: "I lost my job in January 2020 due to the nature of the pandemic and have been struggling with bills ever since.

"MY GP has said told me the situation is having an effect on my mental health. The system is just not right at all."

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Platform Housing said that they are aware of Miss Harper's situation and have been supporting her "for some time".

Lisa Fairlie, director of housing operations at Platform Housing Group said:  "We are aware of our customer's concerns and as such we have been supporting her for some time as well as signposting her to other agencies. 

"We will continue to work with Ms Harper to find the right solution for her."

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “The removal of the spare room subsidy encourages mobility within the social rented sector, making better use of available social housing.

“Now that Ms Harper’s caring responsibilities have ended, her Universal Credit entitlement will increase.

“We recognise people are struggling with rising prices which is why we’re protecting millions of the most vulnerable households through our £37billion package of support, including at least £1,200 of direct payments and saving households an average of £900 on their energy bills this winter.”

We contacted Citizen's Advice, which told us it was not able to comment on individual cases.