A MOTHER has been unable to heat her home for more than a week after struggling to live on her Universal Credit payments.

Savannah Burke said she has barely enough money to buy food for her and her 12-week-old son, Leo, after she had to put her forensic science and criminal investigation degree on hold to care for him.

The 21-year-old, who recently moved to Accrington from Blackburn, said she currently gets around £700 in payments.

But this falls shy of her outgoings – which includes rent, bills, a car contract she cannot get out of, food and heating – which come to around £1,000.

The single mother said: “I haven’t put the heating on in a week now because I can’t afford to top it up and the money I have on the meter I need for hot water to bath Leo.

“My family had to buy my food in for me this month because I just couldn’t do it.

“I have to chose between heating and eating.”

Her monthly costs include £400 rent, £70 council tax, £29 home insurance, average £60 for gas and electric on a meter, £270 for a car through finance, £33 car insurance, television and internet costs coming to £70 as well as fuel and travel costs.

Universal Credit has been rolled out in areas across the country and replaced child tax credit, housing benefit, income support, jobseeker’s allowance, employment and support allowance and working tax credit.

Ms Burke, who is in her third year at the University of Central Lancashire, said she has tried to get help from the Department for Work and Pensions, Lancashire County Council’s crisis support scheme and Citizens Advice but has not been able to get any extra support.

She said: “I have been thinking about having to get a full time job but I don’t know how I’m going to do that, care for my baby and carry on with my dissertation as I need to carry on with that while I’m off.

“I have had several jobs and did work through college so it’s not like I have never worked and am abusing the system. I am worrying so much.”

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “Ms Burke is getting the full amount she’s entitled to. We weren’t made aware of any concerns with her benefits, but have spoken to her to clarify her payments.”

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Louise Taylor, executive director of adults services and health and wellbeing, said: "The county council crisis support scheme is designed to help individuals who are experiencing some form of hardship.

“Temporary support has been put in place to help with heating and food whilst the welfare rights service help this mum to check she is getting all the benefits she is entitled to."