A heart-wrenching tale of bureaucracy gone wrong – A young mum’s Universal Credit was halted just a week after facing the unimaginable loss of her newborn. Despite notifying authorities of her tragic circumstance, she found herself battling a system that she describes as “dehumanising” and “disgusting.”
The 21-year-old from Liverpool shared her ordeal, shedding light on the cold response she received from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). In the midst of grieving her son, who passed away during birth last August, she was hit with financial penalties for not promptly submitting documents. The sanctions dragged her into deeper crisis, forcing her to sell baby items just to survive.
“I was frozen in grief, and while I pleaded for some compassion, the system seemed blind to human suffering,” she explains. Even after DWP acknowledged the error, apologised, and reinstated her benefits, the damage was done. Her mental health suffered, and financial challenges worsened, leaving her feeling punished rather than supported through one of life’s hardest trials.
After a year, her grief remains a constant companion as she navigates life without her child. Yet she bravely tells her story to urge change, hoping no one else will endure such treatment. The callousness of bureaucracy must give way to compassion and understanding, especially for those in their darkest moments.
While the DWP has since lifted the sanctions and vowed to refine their processes, the young mother’s account serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for a supportive system. In times of personal crisis, empathy, and aid should lead, not penalties.
This story amplifies the call for a kinder approach to welfare, ensuring no parent has to face such heartache alone. Let’s push for change and spread awareness for a more humane system that truly supports those in need. 💔