Sally Worrall, a 35-year-old mother of four from Southampton, has shared her dramatic transformation after the lifting of the household benefit cap. Previously, Ms Worrall struggled to survive on just £7 a day for her family, which included nine-month-old twins and two older children. The benefit cap, which limits the amount of benefits a household can claim, had left her in dire financial straits, forcing her to rely on food banks and second-hand clothing.

After her marriage ended, Ms Worrall became a single parent and faced the harsh realities of the benefit cap, which currently stands at £423.46 a week. She described the situation as "barbaric" and expressed her belief that the cap should be abolished. "I ended up in rent arrears and was evicted, becoming homeless before being placed in temporary accommodation by a refuge," she recounted.

The turning point came when her eldest son, Chester, was diagnosed with autism four years ago and began receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA). This benefit exempted Ms Worrall from the household cap, significantly improving her financial situation. "When Chester was diagnosed with autism and was given DLA, it took away the benefit cap. I didn’t even know this was a thing that happened," she said.

With the cap lifted, Ms Worrall found it easier to work. She secured a job in a prison helping individuals with learning difficulties, although it was not childcare-friendly. She later transitioned to a role as a teaching assistant at a secondary school, which allowed her to better balance work and family life.

Now living in a council house in the countryside, Ms Worrall noted that her life has improved considerably. "I don’t have to use food banks anymore, and I can afford small treats for my children, like ice creams at the beach or a trip to the cinema once a month," she explained.

Despite the improvements, Ms Worrall believes the benefit cap should be scrapped entirely, especially for single-parent households. "Single parents get the short straw because they can’t go out to work in the same way that two-parent families can," she stated.

A Government spokesperson responded, stating, "Every child – no matter their background – deserves the best start in life. Our Child Poverty Taskforce will publish an ambitious strategy to tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty. We’re committed to ensuring disabled children get the help they need." They also highlighted the £500 million investment in children's development and a £1 billion crisis support package aimed at preventing hunger during holidays.