‘I've had no help at all’ – Sheffield mum calls on Government to provide more support for working families during Covid crisis

Single mum-of-three Gemma Cherill, aged 38, who lives on Parson Cross, works part time on minimum wage as a support worker, and claims working tax credit to supplement her income.

However, Government rules state that if you claim working tax credit you can’t claim for free school meals or their equivalent, leaving mums like Gemma with no extra support at a really crucial time.

She is now calling for more support to be given to people on the benefit, who still number in their thousands across the country, despite the fact it is meant to have been replaced by Universal Credit years ago.

Gemma said: “It’s heartbreaking to know my children have been forgotten. I have received no help at all through the pandemic.

“Unlike the people on Universal Credit I have had no vouchers or hampers or even the extra twenty pound a week. It is really not fair.

“I don't want other people to lose what they have got but it should also be brought to light that there are families like mine who haven’t been given anything.”

Working tax credit is currently being phased out and replaced by Universal Credit, but claimants are only moved over when they start a new job.

In practice, this means thousands of people still claim the benefit, and there are many thousands more on Universal Credit who don’t qualify because they earn ‘too much’ money, according to the Government.

This includes any household with an income of more than £7,400 per year after tax and not including any extra benefits.

However, Gemma would in fact qualify for extra support if she was on Universal Credit, meaning she is simply missing out because of the Government’s slow rollout of the controversial benefit.

She said: “This year has been really hard. My son has had to isolate a couple of times meaning I haven't been able to go to work.

“It just feels like everyone is talking about the people who get the food parcels and no one is thinking about people like me.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.