Benefit shambles: Workington mum unable to shower or eat for days

Sarah Brown lives in Workington along with her partner Stephen and five children, one of which is only eight months old.

Sarah was expecting her payment on June 1, and it did not arrive.

During this time, the family did not have enough funds for their smart metre leaving them without heating and only cold showers. Sarah and Stephen made sure their children ate, at the cost of leaving the couple hungry.

Sarah, 33, explained how her nightly routine consisted of the full family, including her baby being wrapped in their full clothing to stay warm.

STEPHEN: Sarah's partner pictured with his little girl

Sarah spend days on end calling the Department for Work and Pension DWP, and was finally told they had been wrongly recalled. However, this could not be resolved for five working days.

This caused the family to survive the recent long bank holiday weekend with no cash. Due to the bank holiday, emergency services for these circumstances, such as food banks were closed.Sarah said it left her with no other choice but release a plee on Facebook:

"I had to put a post on Facebook explaining what has going on and to ask for help until I get this sorted. I could not do anything until Monday as everywhere was closed so I have let my children eat, and me and my partner have not eaten much. I had to wash clothes on a cold wash since writing the appeal."

DAUGHTER: Sarah's tried to make sure her children were shielded from the stressful situation

However, Sarah mentioned two people who came forward to help following her appeal, Ryan Dodgson and Rina Irvine.

Sarah said: "They helped me to get some gas. Ryan Dodgson and Rina Irvine, just show there is some good hearts out there."

Sarah spoke emotionally about the affect that the stress and uncertainty of being able to care and feed her children was having over her mental health, saying:

"This has made me suffer anxiety. It has messed with my mental health and made me aware that DWP now do not care anymore."

"I have had to put up with a little help of people with essentials but that is to last us for 7 of us in my household. I would not want this to happen to anyone again.

"I have never suffered so much pain and stress in my life especially with 5 girls, they are my main priority."

Sarah eventually went to the tribunal about the issue and we spoke with a DWP spokesperson who said: “Due to a change in her circumstances, Ms Brown’s PIP payment amount has recently changed.

"In order to prevent an overpayment Ms Brown’s latest PIP payment was recalled. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Ms Brown has now been paid her PIP award in full and her monthly Universal Credit payment was unaffected.”

Whilst the nightmare is over for Sarah, she said that the whole ordeal has left her "saddened" and "so embarrassed, but they are compensating me for their own error. They left me struggling all week with no money whatsoever knowing I’m struggling with health issues "

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