View Image

A former DWP advisor has told of her 'nightmare' experiences when she had to stop work because of ill health and put in claims for Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment.

"For me it was an absolute nightmare, my worst nightmare," said Jo, 53, from Sheffield, recalling her visits to the Jobcentre. Her health conditions make leaving home difficult, but she was told she couldn't claim Universal Credit without attending in person to verify her identity.

The mum-of-two had spent her entire career in public sector roles, including several years as an advisor at the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ). However, when deteriorating health forced her to stop working, she discovered the awful truth of what it was like to be on the receiving end of the social security

See Full Page