A WOMAN struggling to look after her sick mother while on Universal Credit has hit out at the system for not giving her enough support.

The 55-year-old full-time carer, who does not to be named, looks after her 89-year-old mother in Upper Stratton and lived off nothing more than her £250 carer’s allowance for two months while transitioning from ESA to Universal Credit.

During that time, she fell into arrears and had to take out an advance payment which she must now pay back.

Then she made the worrying discovery that her new housing benefit didn’t cover all her rent or council tax anymore.

She said: “This caused a lot of stress and anxiety. It’s so difficult to juggle everything and I keep thinking ‘Why is this happening to me?’ because it feels like fighting a losing battle.

“After I told the jobcentre I cared for mum full-time, they sent me for a medical and she was worried that they’d try to get me into work because then there’d be no-one to look after her.

“I do all the cooking, washing and shopping for her. I’ve got COPD and arthritis, she also has arthritis and a degenerative eye condition that’s left her practically blind.

“My carer’s allowance is counted as income so my benefits are reduced because of it, which I don’t think is right. This system is worse than the old one, it’s messing up so many lives, people who are worse off than me.”

Her friend Christine Gregory has also struggled with the system and has supported the carer where she can. Christine said: “This is happening all around the country, the process takes too long and people aren’t getting the support they need.”

North Swindon MP and DWP minister Justin Tomlinson said: “Without knowing the full details of this case, it is vital that she speaks to her work coach who will look at her personal circumstances to make sure she is given the support she needs.

“We have increased the financial support available through Universal Credit so there will be an extra £2 billion of support targeted at the most vulnerable in society.

“In addition to the personalised tailored support for those either looking for work or needing support with housing, training or childcare, these measures have helped deliver employment in every in every single region of the UK.”